Lebanon’s conflict-affected population receives ICRC’s lifesaving medical supplies

COTABATO CITY (October 7, 2024) — The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said that seventeen metric tons of urgently needed medical supplies have arrived in Beirut, Lebanon via air cargo. “This shipment brings much-needed relief to Lebanon’s healthcare system, which was already under strain and now faces extreme pressure due to the ongoing armed conflict,” ICRC said in its news release.

Laetitia Nemouche Armand, ICRC’s health coordinator in Lebanon said that the International Committee of the Red Cross received around 17 metric tons of medical supplies, “These supplies are intended to be distributed to hospitals in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, allowing them to continue providing critical and life-saving care to those affected by the escalating conflict.”

ICRC added that the shipment, which arrived in Beirut from Geneva on Friday, includes surgical material and other medical items to help hospitals and medical workers care for trauma injuries, burns, and other needs. “This is in addition to humanitarian relief items the ICRC had pre-positioned in Lebanon before the recent escalation of violence,” it said.

According to ICRC, the medical supplies will be distributed to hospitals and medical centres across Lebanon in close collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health to support the newly established trauma units at Rafik Hariri University Hospital (RHUH) and Zahle Governmental Hospital and prioritize treating conflict-related injuries and provide urgent care to those most affected by the violence.

Specialists in conflict-related injuries of the ICRC medical teams, will be stationed at the trauma centres in RHUH and Zahle, working alongside local health professionals to strengthen their capacity to manage the most severe trauma cases.

The humanitarian response of ICRC to the armed conflict in Lebanon is focused on providing health care to the wounded and sick; advocating for the respect of international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians; and addressing the essential needs of those affected by the conflict.

The ICRC stressed that it will work closely with its partner the Lebanese Red Cross to respond to humanitarian needs in affected communities swiftly and effectively. (Tu Alid Alfonso with a report from ICRC, BMN/BangsamoroToday)