EU launches Humanitarian Air Bridge operation for Lebanon and mobilises further assistance from Member States

The EU is mobilising all the emergency response tools at its disposal to support people affected by the ongoing crisis in Lebanon.

Today, the EU launched a Humanitarian Air Bridge operation consisting of three flights from Dubai and Brindisi with the first one reaching Beirut on 11 October. The flights will transport EU-owned stocks including hygiene items, blankets and emergency shelter kits, among other items.

Furthermore, though the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, aid from Spain, Slovakia, Poland, France and Belgium is being delivered to Beirut since last week, with further aid from Greece to be transported in the coming days. The Commission funds the transport costs of these deliveries and ensures smooth coordination.

Supplies donated by Member States include medicines and medical items that are crucial to assist people in Lebanon lacking access to emergency health care, in particular for those forcibly displaced.

The EU's Emergency Response Coordination Centre remains in close contact with Member States and humanitarian partners to mobilise further offers.

This assistance comes on top of some €104 million in EU humanitarian aid allocated for Lebanon this year, including the latest emergency allocations.

(For more information: Balazs Ujvari - Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Daniel Puglisi – Tel.: +32 2 296 91 40)