BEIRUT | International aid began arriving in Lebanon on Wednesday, in the aftermath of two gigantic explosions that left more than 100 dead and thousands of injured.
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According to the authorities, some 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate, stored “without precautionary measures” in the port of Beirut, are the cause of the blasts.
Tuesday evening, a few hours after the tragedy, Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab launched an “urgent appeal to all friendly countries and to brotherly countries.”
Kuwait on Wednesday reported the arrival in Lebanon of a plane containing “medical aid”, as hospitals, already exhausted by the economic crisis and the novel coronavirus pandemic, were overwhelmed by the victims.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has announced that he is opening a field hospital in the Lebanese capital.
French President Emmanuel Macron had said the day before on Twitter that a detachment of civil security and “several tons of medical equipment” would be sent to Lebanon.
France, a former mandatory power, on Wednesday delivered aid by three planes.
World Health Organization (WHO) official Michael Ryan said the UN agency had “started shipping trauma and surgery kits from the Dubai regional warehouse.”
“We also have emergency medical teams ready to deploy,” he added.
Gulf countries, some of which have close diplomatic and economic ties with Lebanon, have also offered to help.
The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, informed him of the dispatch of several field hospitals.
Illuminated pyramids and tower
In the United Arab Emirates, Dubai’s famous Burj Khalifa tower, the tallest in the world, was lit up in the colors of the Lebanese flag, as a sign of solidarity, as were the famous pyramids of Giza, Egypt.
Iran, very influential in Lebanon, offered “medical aid” through the voice of its president Hassan Rouhani, according to a statement.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has pledged “humanitarian aid in all areas, particularly in the area of health”.
The Turkish Red Crescent is due to send a humanitarian aid team and emergency medical supplies on Wednesday.
Jordan’s King Abdullah II on Wednesday ordered the preparation of a military field hospital to be sent to Lebanon.
Pope Francis called for “praying for the victims, for their families and for Lebanon” and for sending “help from the international community (to) overcome the crisis”.
The Netherlands announced that 67 aid workers would leave for Beirut on Wednesday evening, including doctors, police and firefighters.
The Czech Republic, Greece and Cyprus, an island where the explosions were heard, sent dozens of rescuers to Beirut on Wednesday.
“Support”
Israel called on Tuesday to “overcome the conflict” by offering “humanitarian and medical aid” to Lebanon, its neighbor with whom it is technically at war.
US Foreign Minister Mike Pompeo told him he offered his country’s help in a telephone interview with Mr. Diab on Wednesday.
In Europe, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has promised to offer “support for Lebanon”.
In the United Kingdom, Queen Elizabeth II said Wednesday she was “deeply saddened” in a message of condolence to the Lebanese president.
Italy sent 14 firefighters to Beirut specializing in the assessment of chemical risks and damaged structures.
Same expression of solidarity from Tunisia, which decided to send “emergency” two military planes with food and medical aid and the care in Tunis of 100 wounded.