Gulf States quick to offer assistance to Lebanon

Aid from the wealthy countries of the Gulf has poured into Lebanon, where intense Israeli attacks have smashed infrastructure and killed hundreds of civilians over the course of the last week. Over the weekend, the United Arab Emirates Red Crescent (UAERC) released 1 million dirhams (roughly US $273,000) from an emergency relief fund to buy desperately needed supplies for Lebanese victims of recent attacks. And today, the organisation sent 24 ambulances and aircraft to Lebanon via Syria. “We’re coordinating with the Lebanese Red Cross and government through an emergency committee,” said one UAERC official, adding that numerous essential items were still required. The emirate of Abu Dhabi pledged an additional US $20 million to the effort, while King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia sent US $50 million to Lebanon for emergency aid. On 14 July, the Kuwaiti Red Crescent Society sent ten tons of medical supplies, while 15 trucks carrying 300 tons of food were dispatched the following day to Syria, to eventually be delivered to the Lebanese Red Cross. Another convoy of 11 trucks loaded with milk and flour left Kuwait City for Lebanon on Monday. Qatar, meanwhile, pledged US $100,000 to the Lebanese Red Cross, while a further US $50,000 will be sent by Doha to Lebanese charities in order to purchase essential items. Fifty trucks laden with 200 tons of flour and other food items are currently en route from Qatar to the besieged Lebanese. SZ/AR/AM