Photo taken on Aug. 13, 2020 shows damages at the Port of Beirut in Lebanon. (Xinhua/Li Liangyong)
UN agencies are aiding survivors of the Beirut port explosion, delivering medicine, health services, food, water and psychological support, a UN spokesman said on Thursday.
"Mobile health clinics run by the UN Refugee Agency are providing medicines and health services to those most in need," said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. "Hundreds more have received first aid services and psychosocial support."
A dedicated helpline is being established for timely response to requests for assistance, he said.
The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) is distributing 10,000 tetanus vaccines, 42 emergency kits and emergency drugs to primary health care centers in need, he told a virtual press briefing.
Some 5,000 female hygiene kits have been provided to women and girls, following a UNICEF rapid needs assessment, he said. UNICEF is also providing food, water, clothes and detergent to 700 children and their caregivers.
With the Lebanese importing about 85 percent of their food, having the heavily damaged port operational again following the devastating Aug. 4 blast is a priority.
The spokesman said the port's container terminal resumed operations on Monday, but only at about 30 percent capacity. However, the first ships have docked and wheat already is being offloaded.
The port's capacity is expected to increase over the coming week and the World Food Programme has a shipment of 17,500 metric tons of wheat flour due to arrive in a week's time, he said.
