The destroyed port warehouse in Beirut
Photo: Hussein Malla / dpa"Germany alone will contribute an additional 20 million euros to alleviate the greatest misery that is currently occurring in Beirut," said Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD) on Sunday ZDF. A total of 200 million euros should have come together. It was overwhelming how many states took part. As a co-organizer of the conference, the French presidential office initially did not provide a number for the commitments.
After the devastating explosion in Beirut with over 150 deaths, the United Nations (UN) estimates that international emergency aid amounting to 116.9 million US dollars (around 99 million euros) is necessary. According to the UN, it is about medical care, food aid or accommodation for the hard hit population.
France's head of state Emmanuel Macron had organized the two and a half hour meeting with the UN at short notice. Representatives from at least 36 states and organizations took part, including US President Donald Trump and the Jordanian King Abdullah II. Germany was represented by Maas.
"The future of Lebanon is now being decided," Macron said. He appealed to those in charge in Beirut to respond to the hopes the Lebanese people are expressing in the streets. "The Lebanese people are free, proud and self-reliant," said Macron in his emotional speech. But everything must be done to prevent violence and chaos. Macron spoke of - unspecified - "powers" that have an interest in division and chaos. The protests in Beirut also saw violence over the weekend.
International Monetary Fund wants to double aid
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) also wants to help Lebanon with a rescue package, but is demanding political agreement on comprehensive reforms. The financial organization is ready to redouble its efforts, said IMF boss Kristalina Georgieva in the switch.
The EU announced that it would increase its emergency aid to 63 million euros. Independently of this, Foreign Minister Maas had previously announced a German emergency aid package worth ten million euros. "The people in Beirut need our help and they need cause for hope," the SPD politician explained to "Bild am Sonntag".
France says it has set up an airlift. So far, eight aircraft have brought disaster relief workers and relief supplies to Lebanon. Two ships, including a warship, are also set in motion from the Mediterranean port of Toulon, which among other things transport food.
Macron had already promised international aid on Thursday during a visit to the Lebanese capital. At the donor conference, he renewed his calls for reforms in the cedar state and for an independent investigation into the cause of the disaster. Israel, which was not represented at the conference, also wants to help, as does Turkey, Macron said. Over 6,000 people were injured in the explosion on Tuesday, and around 300,000 people are homeless.
Icon: The mirrorcbu / dpa