Iraqi aid sent to Lebanon following beeper explosions on Sept. 18. (Credit: NNA)
BEIRUT — Lebanon received critical humanitarian aid on Saturday as planes from Jordan, Egypt and the Emirates arrived in Beirut, delivering essential food and medical supplies to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the war-torn country.
A Jordanian plane carrying food supplies touched down at Rafic Hariri International Airport, where it was met by a representative of the Army Commander and officials from the Jordanian Embassy.
The Egyptian plane, loaded with medical and humanitarian aid, was received by key figures in Lebanon's caretaker government, including the coordinator of the government's emergency committee and Environment Minister Nasser Yassin, Health Minister Firas Abiad, and Economy Minister Amin Salam.
The Egyptian ambassador stated, "The Egyptian plane carries 22 tons of food, medical supplies, and rations for our displaced brothers. Additional flights will follow based on the needs of the Lebanese government."
Another plane from the Emirates, filled with humanitarian aid, landed at Beirut’s airport on Saturday, where it was received by Yassin.
This follows two Emirati planes that arrived Friday, delivering urgent aid to Lebanon worth $100 million, Yassin said.
“This humanitarian response from Arab and friendly countries will help meet the needs of our displaced people and alleviate their suffering,” he added. “We have prepared a platform to show the amounts of aid we have received and distributed to ensure transparency, and we will launch this platform on Monday.”
"Until today, we have received over 300 tons [of medical supplies] for the healthcare sector," Abiad told local TV channel al-Jadeed.
Unprecedented escalations and brutal Israeli bombing campaigns have tested the sector's readiness. With diplomatic efforts faltering and no cease-fire in sight, concerns are growing about whether Lebanon's hospitals can endure another catastrophe, particularly with reported strikes on and near hospitals.
The country's already strained healthcare system has been further battered by the economic crisis, leaving the sector struggling with shortages of medical resources.
In response to a question regarding the status of hospitals in Lebanon, Abiad confirmed that several hospitals in various areas affected by recent Israeli attacks have gone out of service, while others are operating at minimal capacity. The Public Health Ministry has responded by evacuating patients to hospitals in safer locations, Abiad said.
According to AFP, three hospitals in Lebanon, including one on the outskirts of Beirut's southern suburbs, announced the suspension of operations on Friday amid ongoing Israeli bombardment.
For his part, Salam told al-Jadeed, "We fear any sort of attack on the [Lebanese] ports, the one in Beirut and the one in Tripoli."
"We thank God that supplies and goods are still coming into the country through these ports," he added.
The country's food stocks are sufficient for the next four to five months, Salam also said, stressing that Lebanon needs all forms of support as war-related losses continue to mount.
At the end of last month, the Economy Ministry assured consumers that "the stock of wheat available in the local market is sufficient for at least two months."
The ministry's statement urged consumers not to hoard bread or flour, emphasizing that "the supply of wheat remains organized to ensure market stability." It assured that it "will continue to coordinate with relevant parties to ensure the regular and uninterrupted availability of these essential goods."
