The international community turns out to rebuild Lebanon
Fear and hopelessness have conquered every corner of Lebanon, after a powerful explosion shook the country's capital. The governor of Beirut, Maruan Abboud, announced on Wednesday that more than 100 people are still missing and more than 200,000 people are homeless, after this disaster that has killed more than 100 people and injured around 4,000. The international community has turned its attention from the first minute to this country, already devastated by the economic crisis and the serious political divisions.
The Gulf country has shown its condolences to Lebanon for the victims of this explosion. The UAE has decided to help Lebanon overcome this situation by sending medical supplies, which will be transported in cooperation with the World Health Organization. The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan has indicated that Beirut can count on the Emirate's people "in these difficult circumstances", according to statements collected by Al Ain. For his part, the vice president and prime minister of the UAE has expressed his condolences through social networks.
King Mohamed VI of Morocco has also conveyed his condolences and support to the President of Lebanon. In an official message he presented to the president and the families who have suffered losses "his sincere feelings of compassion" as well as his "wishes for a rapid recovery of the injured". The Alaouite king also stressed that Morocco "will remain constantly at the side of the brotherly Lebanese people".
The Government of Spain has expressed its solidarity with the Lebanese people and authorities and has "wished the injured a speedy recovery". The executive led by Pedro Sanchez has also sent his affection to the families and loved ones of the deceased and has reiterated its commitment to peace and stability in the region. Two security personnel from the Beirut-based Cervantes Institute were injured in the explosion, according to information available to EFE. "Following the terrible explosion in Beirut, the Spanish contingent of UNIFIL is preparing a convoy with health and logistical means to travel to Beirut if their support is requested. There are no injuries among Spanish military personnel. All our support to the Lebanese people," the Ministry of Defence has highlighted on its Twitter profile.
In an official statement, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said it was "deeply concerned" about this incident and offered "all the help it can give to our brother country in these difficult conditions. The president of this nation has also used social networks to express his condolences to the government of Lebanon.
The nation presided over by Reuvén Rivlin has also joined the list of countries offering humanitarian aid to Lebanon. So has the leader of the opposition. Yair Lapid, through Twitter, has sent his "deepest condolences to the residents of Beirut in these difficult times" and wished "a speedy recovery to all the injured". The head of the defence ministry announced his intention to offer humanitarian medical aid and immediate assistance to the neighbouring country after it fell victim to this disaster.
The President of Iran, Hasan Rohani, has expressed his condolences through a message published on the official website of the presidency. "On behalf of the Iranian nation and government I express my condolences to the families of the victims and to the Lebanese people". "The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in line with the humanitarian measures, declares its willingness to send medical assistance, as well as the treatment of the injured," he said in statements collected by EFE.
The government of the Eurasian nation has deplored the explosion in the port of Beirut. "We deeply regret that the explosion in Beirut has caused the death or injury of many of our Lebanese brothers and sisters," they said in a statement, in which they also reported that two citizens of Turkish nationality had been injured in this disaster.
"Brazil is home to the largest community of Lebanese in the world and so we feel this tragedy as if it were on our territory. I express my solidarity with the families of the dead and injured". With these words, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro announced that he was "deeply saddened" to see the scenes of the explosion in Beirut.
The EU High Representative for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, used the social network Twitter to express - on behalf of the EU bloc - "its full solidarity and support to the families of the victims, the population and the Lebanese authorities due to the violent explosions that have affected Beirut". The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, said that the European Union "stands ready to provide assistance and support".
France, for its part, has decided to send two military transport aircraft with civil protection personnel and equipment to deal with the consequences of this major disaster this Wednesday. They are an A400M and an MRTT, carrying 55 people, as well as 15 tonnes of material and a health unit.
"On behalf of the Greek people, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the people of Lebanon, especially the families who have suffered losses, and wish a speedy recovery to the injured. Our thoughts are with you. Greece stands ready to offer any help that may be needed". With this statement, the Greek Prime Minister has expressed his regret for what happened in Lebanon and has made himself available to offer them the help they need. In this scenario, the Greek country has decided to send a C130 Hercules plane carrying a Special Disaster Unit (EMAK) including twelve rescuers, a sniffer dog, two vehicles and equipment as a first response to this emergency.
The Dutch government sent a contingent of humanitarian workers on Wednesday to help with the search and rescue of the more than 100 people who went missing in the explosion. The Minister for Development Cooperation said that this team "has previous experience in searching for survivors and remains among the rubble, and that is very important in this first phase, in which time is against us," according to statements made by EFE.
Pope Francis has urged the international community to show its values of solidarity by helping Lebanon to overcome this crisis. "Let us pray for the victims and their families, and let us pray for Lebanon so that with the commitment of all its political, social and religious components it can face this tragic and painful moment," he said.
Moscow has also decided to send five aircraft with doctors and medical teams to assist in the rescue efforts underway in Beirut. According to the official statement issued by the Russian Ministry of Emergencies, all specialists sent to assist in Lebanon will be equipped with means of protection against COVID-19.
Prague has also made available to the Lebanese authorities 37 specialists from its rescue and urban tracking unit, as well as four dogs. "If the Lebanese counterpart agrees, they could fly there this very afternoon," said the country's interior minister.
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission has said that "our hearts and prayers are with the families of the victims after the horrific explosions in Beirut, as well as with the people and the Government of Lebanon". The President of South Africa also expressed his condolences, noting that "our thoughts and prayers are with the people and Government of Lebanon as they deal with the consequences of this disaster".