On Sunday, leaders of 15 countries came together in a virtual conference to pledge their “timely, sufficient” aid for Lebanon. The meeting was hosted by Emmanuel Macron and the United Nations (UN), and was attended by Saudi Arabia, Iraq, UAE, Britain, China, Jordan and Egypt. While Israel, Russia, and Turkey did not participate in the conference, Macron said that they had individually signalled their support for the cause. Representatives of the World Bank, Red Cross, IMF, the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development also attended the virtual conference. According to an estimate by the UN, around $117 million will be required over the next three months for financial aid, developing makeshift healthcare facilities and emergency shelters, and coordinating food distribution. The country will also require assistance in its fight against COVID-19. Around €250 million have been raised as a result of the combined efforts of the leaders.
Also Read: Blast at Beirut Port Shocks Lebanon, Death Toll Constantly Rising
Following the conference, a joint statement was issued by almost 30 countries, which included European countries and countries from the Arab League, wherein leaders pledged to provide financial support to the country. The statement reads: “The participants agreed that their assistance should be timely, sufficient and consistent with the needs of the Lebanese people, well-coordinated under the leadership of the United Nations, and directly delivered to the Lebanese population, with utmost efficiency and transparency.” The meeting occurred a day after European Council President Charles Michel visited Beirut, after which the European Council said it had dispatched “300 rescue experts” and provided $39 million for initial emergency needs, including medical aid.
Traveling to #Beirut tomorrow to convey Europe’s solidarity with the people in #Lebanon.
— Charles Michel (@eucopresident) August 7, 2020
Shocked and saddened, we stand with all those affected and will provide help.
Will meet with President Aoun, Speaker of Parliament Berri and President of Council of Ministers Diab. pic.twitter.com/bKdULdPSNE
The blast in Beirut was caused by an explosion in a warehouse that was reportedly storing 2,750 tonnes of the highly reactive chemical ammonium nitrate, which had been confiscated and was being unsafely stored in a warehouse at the port for the past six years. Following the incident, residents of Beirut have been growing increasingly angry at state officials who allowed the chemical to be stored 100 metres away from residential areas. Reportedly, inspectors of the consignment had warned as recently as six months ago that if the confiscated chemicals were not moved, they had the potential to “blow up all of Beirut”. The government has ordered for the house arrest of an undisclosed number of officials in charge of the port.
Also Read: Lebanese Government Detains Port Officials, Begins Probe Into Blast
French President Emmanuel Macron has taken the lead in the international effort to provide Lebanon with aid to combat the impact of the blast in Beirut. He was the first leader to visit the country and sent three flights with rescue teams and medical equipment a day after the incident. However, French aid is not unconditional. He said that Lebanese authorities must “act so that the country does not sink, and to respond to the aspirations that the Lebanese people are expressing right now, legitimately, in the streets of Beirut”. Echoing the concern shown by the French premier, other donor countries also urged Lebanese officials to “fully commit themselves to timely measures and reforms” by setting up an “impartial, credible, and independent inquiry”.