WHO seeks $76m for Lebanon after Beirut blast as coronavirus cases rise

Over half of Beirut’s medical centres were badly damaged in last week's explosion, the organisation said

The National

August 12, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

The World Health Organisation said on Wednesday that it has appealed for $76 million (Dh279) in aid for Lebanon after last week's massive explosion in Beirut destroyed or damaged hospitals, clinics and medical supplies.

Lebanon was already struggling with a financial crisis and a rise in the number of new coronavirus cases before the August 4 explosion in the capital's port area that left at least 171 dead and injured some 6,000.

The blast put three hospitals out of operation and has left three others working at partial capacity, reducing the number of beds in public and private hospitals by 500-600, WHO officials told an online press conference.

  • Joseph Khoury and his partner, Gabriela Cardozo, have revisited buildings they photographed in 2016 as part of Bouyout Beirut, a postcard series that aimed to highlight the facades of buildings found in Gemmayzeh and Mar Mikhael. All photos courtesy Joseph Khoury
    Joseph Khoury and his partner, Gabriela Cardozo, have revisited buildings they photographed in 2016 as part of Bouyout Beirut, a postcard series that aimed to highlight the facades of buildings found in Gemmayzeh and Mar Mikhael. All photos courtesy Joseph Khoury
  • 'It was sad, seeing all that destruction,' Khoury says.
    'It was sad, seeing all that destruction,' Khoury says.
  • Khoury and Cardozo left postcards on the building facades. 'It was a gesture of hope that we can still rebuild,' Khoury says.
    Khoury and Cardozo left postcards on the building facades. 'It was a gesture of hope that we can still rebuild,' Khoury says.
  • A photo in the series shows a blue building in Gemmayzeh, Beirut, with a mix of arch-topped windows and rectangular ones with white slatted doors.
    A photo in the series shows a blue building in Gemmayzeh, Beirut, with a mix of arch-topped windows and rectangular ones with white slatted doors.
  • There’s a chance that the Bouyout Beirut series may contribute to the restoration of the photographed buildings after people asked if they could see the originals.
    There’s a chance that the Bouyout Beirut series may contribute to the restoration of the photographed buildings after people asked if they could see the originals.
  • Joseph Khoury and Gabriela Cardozo have now decided to start a fundraising campaign by selling large-format prints and postcards of the Bouyout Beirut series and donating proceeds to the Lebanese Red Cross.
    Joseph Khoury and Gabriela Cardozo have now decided to start a fundraising campaign by selling large-format prints and postcards of the Bouyout Beirut series and donating proceeds to the Lebanese Red Cross.
  • Another snapshot taken as part of Bouyout Beirut.
    Another snapshot taken as part of Bouyout Beirut.
  • 'It was a personal project for me,' says Khoury of Bouyout Beirut.
    'It was a personal project for me,' says Khoury of Bouyout Beirut.

"A week after the blast, the World Health Organisation is still concerned about the health and well-being of people who were injured, lost loved ones, or became homeless, and it's expected (that) recovery from the psychological pain from the blast will last much longer," said Rana Hajjeh, WHO's regional programme director.

"In particular, we are concerned about the return of COVID-19 in Lebanon. We have launched an appeal for $76 million, and ask the international community to support the Lebanese people and show solidarity with them in every way possible."

The loss of hospital beds had "clear implications for the management of COVID as well as other medical conditions", said Richard Brennan, WHO's regional emergency director.

Initial results from an assessment of 55 primary healthcare clinics and centres across Beirut showed just over half are not functioning, with the remainder functioning at varying levels, Brennan said.

The WHO has so far brought in 25 tonnes of personal protective equipment (PPE), distributed trauma and surgical supplies to 2,000 patients at 10 hospitals, and is working with at least 11 emergency medical teams that have arrived from overseas, officials said.

Lebanon