Dubai - The blast in Beirut claimed at least 178 lives and left over 6,000 injured.
Published: Sat 22 Aug 2020, 6:00 PM
Updated: Sat 22 Aug 2020, 8:54 PM
Dubai's International Humanitarian City (IHC) has airlifted the third consignment of humanitarian supplies to Lebanon, which is reeling under a blast that ripped through its capital earlier this month.
The blast in Beirut claimed at least 178 lives and left over 6,000 injured.
Two Emirates SkyCargo aircraft, chartered by Dubai's IHC, left Dubai International Airport with approximately 30 metric tonnes of aid, including 12 tonnes of medical supplies from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and 18 tonnes of hygiene kits from the International Federation of Red Cross.
IHC CEO Giuseppe Saba said: "We will continue to support the relief efforts of our humanitarian community in order to ensure proper assistance to the Lebanese population affected by the recent blast and Covid-19 exposure. These flights also represent a combination of the efforts of IHC and Emirates SkyCargo, which is facilitating this transport, and reflect Dubai's keenness to support relief efforts for our brothers and sisters in need."
Robert Blanchard from WHO's logistics hub in Dubai said: "Responding to the blast in Beirut, the WHO is sending additional medical supplies to support the treatment of injured and the protection of healthcare workers. The 11.5 tonnes of medical supplies, which went in the first flight, include trauma and surgical supply kits donated by the Russian Government as well as 576,000 surgical masks and hand sanitisers to protect healthcare workers from Covid-19."
He added that Saturday's flight is the third charter carrying WHO medical supplies to Beirut. "WHO is committed to supporting the people of Beirut and the international community in responding to and recovering from the devastating impact of the blast."
Hygiene supplies in the second flight will provide essential assistance and support to some 2,000 families affected by the explosion.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com
A Staff Reporter
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