EU mobilises emergency humanitarian aid for Lebanon

In response to the escalating situation in the Middle East and the evolving humanitarian situation in Lebanon, the EU has mobilised emergency humanitarian aid, consisting of food and medical kits, shelter materials, recreation kits and winter clothing kits, to address the growing and urgent humanitarian needs in Lebanon. Due to the ongoing hostilities, more than 680,000 people have been displaced in recent days. The aid will be distributed through our humanitarian partners, the World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF.

The WFP will deliver 404 metric tonnes of food assistance to more than 90,000 people. The operation is funded through a flexible EU-WFP joint funding modality, which allows for faster mobilisation of pre-positioned food stocks and rapid delivery of ready-to-eat meals in the Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe. This is the first time this emergency funding method has been used.

A humanitarian air flight will deliver medical and non-food items to UNICEF from the EU warehouse in Copenhagen to meet the needs of more than 100,000 vulnerable people.

Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, HadjaLahbib,said:

TheLebanese people can count on the European Union. Hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes virtually overnight. Europe is mobilising quickly to help. Through our partners, the WFP and UNICEF, we are delivering food, medicines and emergency supplies to those who have lost their homes and jobs. Our new Emergency Preparedness Trust Fund allows us to act faster than ever before and be even more effective. We stand ready to scale up support to the most vulnerable in these difficult times.

President Ursula von der Leyen, together with President Antonio Costa,yesterday expressedtheir deep concern about the impact of the regional crisis in Lebanon and its serious consequences for the civilian population, which has led to mass displacement. They stressed the need to protect the civilian population and to respect Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

More information: European Commission.