UN and WFP offer emergency funds and aid delivery after Beirut explosion

The United Nations is aiding the Lebanese government following the deadly explosion in Beirut by releasing emergency funds, assessing needs and planning alternative aid delivery, a UN spokesman said on Thursday.

Already 9 million U.S. dollars in emergency aid has been released locally for hospitals and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is expected to disburse additional funds soon, said Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

The OCHA is sending emergency teams that include experts from the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group and UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination team to assist with the emergency response.

Meanwhile, the World Food Programme plans to import wheat flour and grains for bakeries and mills to help protect against food shortages across Lebanon after a blast wrecked its main port in Beirut, the UN agency said on Friday.