Belgium responds to Lebanon crisis with medical aid and evacuation plans
Belgium is mobilising efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon amid escalating violence in the region. Outgoing minister of developmental aid, Frank Vandenbroucke (Vooruit), announced that the country is delivering a package of medical equipment worth 150,000 euros to public hospitals in Lebanon. The shipment, which includes gloves, needles, compresses, bandages, thermometers and other essential supplies, will likely be delivered next week via the federal intervention team B-FAST.
Vandenbroucke commented on the urgency of the situation, stating, "What is currently happening in the region defies all imagination. The escalating violence is causing one of the worst humanitarian crises of the past 25 years." He noted that millions of children are living in fear in Lebanon, Gaza, the West Bank and Israel, with tens of thousands dead and millions fleeing the violence as extremists gain political and military control.
Most urgent needs
The Lebanese government has submitted a Request for Assistance to the European Union, which has garnered support from several countries, including France. The Belgian package, coordinated by the FPS Public Health, aims to address the most urgent needs in Lebanese hospitals.
Belgium is collaborating with various humanitarian partners, including the United Nations Joint Emergency Fund, the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund and the International Federation of the Red Cross Emergency Fund. According to Vandenbroucke's office, these organisations can quickly access additional funding to scale up their operations.
In addition to medical support, Belgium is also addressing the needs of refugees in the region, particularly in Syria and Lebanon, through contributions to the UNHCR and the International Red Cross.
Belgians in Lebanon
On the security front, outgoing defence minister Ludivine Dedonder (PS) announced that Belgium is prepared to repatriate its citizens from Lebanon. The Council of Ministers is considering "various options" to assist approximately 1,800 Belgians in Lebanon, some of whom have expressed a desire to return to Belgium. However, the limited availability of commercial flight tickets complicates the situation. Other countries, such as the Netherlands, have already begun repatriating their citizens.
Dedonder confirmed that Belgian Defence is ready to initiate a "non-combatant evacuation operation" if deemed necessary. This operation would enable the swift and safe repatriation of Belgians and other beneficiaries.
"In light of the negative evolution of the security context in the region around Lebanon, I asked Defence several weeks ago to anticipate a possible evacuation of our compatriots," Dedonder stated. She indicated that a small detachment of soldiers might be sent to Cyprus in preparation for this operation, highlighting the importance of following local authorities' instructions for those currently in Lebanon.
People transfer aid to the displaced people from southern Lebanon in a temporary shelter at a school in Beirut
© BILAL JAWICH/XINHUA
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