Explosions in Beirut: EU releases 33 million euros in emergency aid and mobilizes resources

Sylvie Claire / August 7, 2020

The European Union announced Thursday that it had released 33 million euros to finance first emergency aid for Lebanon and mobilized material resources, including an Italian hospital ship, to help relief efforts in Beirut, devastated Tuesday by two explosions.

A donor conference is also planned to mobilize additional funding for reconstruction after a needs assessment, said a European source.

The release of the 33 million should make it possible to cover the immediate needs of the emergency services and hospitals in the capital, said the European Commission.

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen held talks with Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab on Thursday to discuss European Union assistance.

European countries quickly mobilized. Italy has provided a military vessel with helicopter medical evacuation capability and medical equipment. They also mobilized 250 firefighters specializing in search and rescue, we learned from a European source.