Japan to repair Lebanese hospitals, provide $5M aid

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) – Japan Friday said it will help repair the blast-hit hospitals in Lebanon’s capital Beirut, also assuring $5 million aid to the country.

Japan’s Foreign Ministry said it will extend humanitarian assistance of food, shelter and health to the Labanese people.

Last month, an explosion at the Port of Beirut, a major trading hub of the country, was caused by a neglected stockpile of 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse, killing 190 people and injuring 6,500 others.

The blast flattened nearby buildings and caused extensive damages to property leaving hundreds of thousands homeless.

The explosion damaged most of the health care facilities in Beirut when Lebanon was dealing with a severe financial crisis along with the coronavirus pandemic.

Japan’s aid will include medical equipment and repair of 13 hospitals and two emergency medical service facilities among others, the Foreign Ministry added.

“Japan hopes that the Lebanese government will implement the administrative, financial and judicial reforms in a swift and transparent manner, and achieve sustainable growth,” it said.

Earlier, Tokyo had shipped emergency relief goods including blankets, tents and water tanks to Lebanon, shortly after the blast.