Beirut port 'temporarily functional', over 1,000 tonnes of goods offloaded: Spokesperson

Weeks after being annihilated by a series of explosions, Port of Beirut has become temporarily operational, a United Nations spokesperson said. seaport located in heart of Lebanese capital was flattened by an explosion on August 4. According to government data, at least 177 people have died and over four thousand were injured in explosion.

In aftermath of explosion, UN anunced that it would be releasing an aid pack worth $9 million for Leban. Speaking to international media reporters, UN spokesperson Stephaney Dujjaric said that almost 9,000 containers of UN aid were offloaded on Beirut port. He added that, between August 11 and 18, more than 1,000 tones of goods including iron and wheat were also offloaded on explosion hit port.  

Dujarric furr asserted that United Nations along with its partners was continuing to provide emergency humanitarian assistance and conduct assessments in area. In addition to material assistance, UN has promised that it's ncy WHO will help “cover 1,000 trauma interventions and 1,000 surgical interventions for people suffering from burns and wounds caused by glass and or debris resulting from blast.”

Read: United Nations Says It Will Boost Emergency Aid To Leban

Read: United Nations Releasing $9 Million To Help Beirut Hospitals

Leban under lockdown

Meanwhile, Leban, which is witnessing a spike in coronavirus cases, has anunced a nationwide lockdown. From August 21, markets, shopping centres, gyms, and or public places will be closed and an overnight curfew will be imposed. According to Lebanese officials, 456 new cases of coronavirus and two deaths were reported on August 17 and 421 cases on August 18.

Caretaker Health Minister Hamad Hassan, while speaking to a local radio station said situation is intolerable and he also warned about hospitals are rapidly running out of beds for new patients. According to media reports, reason behind a collapsed healthcare system is explosion, which damd six major hospitals and 20 clinics in capital city. Or medical facilities and hospitals still functioning are treating thousands of wounded patients for trauma and burns.

Read: Leban To Impose Lockdown As Coronavirus Cases Surge After Beirut Explosion

Read: United Nations Says It Will Boost Emergency Aid To Leban

Im credits: AP