UN organisations step up efforts to help Beirut population

Multiple United Nations ncies made warning on Friday about situation in Leban as y rushed to step up efforts to help country, days after a massive blast ripped through Beirut.

explosion in Beirut's port sent a wave of destruction through Leban's capital, killing nearly 150 people and wounding thousands.

A spokesperson for World Food Programme said event may "exacerbate an already grim food security situation".

Elisabeth Byrs said Mediterranean country imports 85% of its food and with dam to city's port, inflow of supplies could become limited.

Even before blast, country was mired in a severe ecomic crisis, which thrust it into uncertainty.

w, hundreds of thousands have had ir homes destroyed or damd, said Charlie Yaxley, spokesperson of UN Refugee ncy, UNHCR.

" need for shelter is massive," he added.

situation in country appears "really dire", said Rupert Colville, spokesperson of UN Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Colville said calls for accountability must be heeded through an independent and impartial investigation.

Public anger has mounted against ruling elite that is being blamed for chronic mismanment and carelessness that led to disaster.

For decades, Leban has been dominated by same political elites — many of m former warlords and militia commanders from 1975-1990 civil war.