Help for Beirut: How Germany and the EU are providing support

Swift measures are required following the devastating explosion in the Lebanese capital. Germany and the EU are working to rescue those buried under rubble and to help the injured.

The shock is still fresh and it is profound. Well over 100 individuals lost their lives in the devastating explosion in Beirut on 4 August 2020. At present, there are estimated to be around 5000 people injured.

Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel offered her “deepest sympathy” to the Prime Minister of the Lebanese Republic, Hassan Diab, in a telegram of condolence: “Please convey my sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and give the survivors my very best wishes for a full and speedy recovery”, said Merkel.

A member of the German Embassy also lost her life. On behalf of the German Government, Foreign Minister Maas expressed his deepest sympathy to her relatives: “Our worst fears have been confirmed. We are deeply saddened by the death of our colleague.”

Swift help is on the way

During a telephone conversation with his Lebanese counterpart, Maas pledged to initiate emergency measures. It is clear to Heiko Maas that “in this hour of need, we are there to help. The people in Beirut need to know that we will not abandon them.”

In a first step, Germany will provide Lebanon with one million euro in emergency assistance for first-aid posts in Beirut and medical supplies to treat the injured. In the coming days, a German Red Cross flight will take off for Beirut with protective equipment, medicine and bandage material.

Some 50 members of the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) have already arrived in the Lebanese capital and are searching for further survivors. Doctors and experts in hazardous goods from ISAR Germany (International Search and Rescue) are also on the ground.

The Bundeswehr, Germany's military, flew a medical reconnaissance team to Beirut. The Airbus A310 MedEvac is on stand-by. The corvette Ludwigshafen am Rhein, which is normally part of the UNIFIL mission, is heading for Beirut to provide assistance.

The European Commission has pledged to provide Lebanon with emergency aid amounting to more than 33 million euro, which will be made available by member states. Among other things, it is intended to be used to ensure that medical equipment is supplied. Furthermore, the EU has activated its Civil Protection Mechanism and organised numerous rescue teams.