World Offers Support to Lebanon After Beirut Blast

• Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab said this Wednesday that the country is experiencing "a real catastrophe."
• The leaders of the EU offered their condolences and material support.
• The presidents of France, Russia, Turkey, and elsewhere also pledged help.

Pope Francis has today asked the international community to step in and help Lebanon overcome the serious crisis caused by Tuesday’s explosions. The same plea for help was made by the Lebanese government, and several countries have already responded to the calls for help.

Pope Francis asked the faithful:

“Let us pray for the victims, for their families; and let us pray for Lebanon so that, through the dedication of all its social, political and religious elements, it might face this extremely tragic and painful moment and, with the help of the international community, overcome the grave crisis they are experiencing,”

Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab said this Wednesday that the country is experiencing “a real catastrophe,” and has again called for help from all countries and friends after yesterday’s explosions in the capital’s port, Beirut.

In a brief televised speech, the Prime minister reiterated his promise to find and punish those responsible for the two explosions that left at least 100 people dead and more than 4,000 injured.

In reaction, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, wrote on Twitter:

“The European Union expresses its full solidarity and full support for the families of the victims, the Lebanese people and authorities following the violent explosions that hit Beirut on this day.”

European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarcic, added that Brussels is already in contact with Beirut to send the necessary assistance after the explosions. The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, reiterated the EU’s preparation to provide assistance and support.

The French Government on it’s part commited that it will send two military transport planes to Lebanon with Civil Protection teams and material with emergency aid. Also From France, doctors and nurses specializing in emergency situations will also be availed in the nation to reinforce hospitals and local teams.

French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted:

“I express my fraternal solidarity with the Lebanese after the explosion which claimed so many victims and damages this evening in Beirut. France stands alongside Lebanon. Always. French aid and resources are being transported there.”

Moscow has, on its part, announced the dispatch of five emergency cargo planes to Beirut. The Russian Minister for Emergency Situations specified that medical personnel will also be followed and field hospitals and a laboratory for testing the new coronavirus will be set up.

Jordan is set to send a field hospital and medical relief teams. Previously, Egypt initiated the installation of another field hospital to receive the victims of the explosion who need urgent treatment.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also declared support on Twitter for Lebanon the Lebanese brothers, as Iran and Greece have already done.

Beirut residents woke up to a scenario of total devastation yesterday. The smoke columns were still visible in the port. The main streets in the city center were littered with debris, damaged vehicles and the facades of buildings were completely destroyed, according to an Associated Press report.

In hospitals, all over the city, thousands of people stayed all night waiting for news from their family members who had disappeared or been injured. There are also several reports on social media of requests for help in finding family members.

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