UN releases $6M, assesses shelter need in Beirut

United Nations official in charge of emergency relief has released $6 million for response to devastating explosion at Beirut's port, bringing total U.N. funding for relief efforts to $15 million. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Mark Lowcock said latest money is intended for trauma care and or urgent hospital needs, repair of damd homes for most vulnerable people, and for logistical support. $6 million from Central Emergency Relief Fund comes on top of $9 million in released funding released from U.N.'s Leban Humanitarian Fund to address primary health needs and to provide food assistance.

“This blast ripped through a country already facing civil unrest, ecomic hardship, coronavirus outbreak, and a heavy burden from Syrian refugee crisis,” Lowcock said.

“Despite everything, people of Leban have remained generous hosts to millions of Syrian refugees and a beacon of humanity for us all.” While Lebanese people are strong, he said “y are being severely tested” and “our response should be swift and determined.”

U.N. Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which Lowcock heads, said it coordinated deployment of experts to assist first responders in Beirut. OCHA said United Nations and its partners are urgently assessing situation and mobilizing emergency assistance, including relief items such as temporary shelters for approximately 300,000 displaced people, including 80,000 children. Health organisations are working to maintain COVID-19 services while helping victims of explosion, it said.