As Lebanon continues to grapple with the devastating impact of the conflict and other multiple crises, the European Union, through support to UNICEF, delivered 40 metric tons of essential medications and emergency medical kits to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health.  Part of the supplies arrived to Lebanon on a UNICEF chartered plane in January. The rest arrived by sea last month. The supplies include a variety of essential medications, including antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers, which will be distributed based on needs and usage to a network of 300 Primary Health Care Centres and Primary Satellite Units across Lebanon. The supplies also include 15 emergency medical kits, which will support some 150 000 individuals in need of emergency assistance for a period of 3 months.

Samy Saadi, the European Union’s Chargé d’affaires a.i. in Beirut, said: “The European Union firmly stands by Lebanon. During the conflict, we refocused our support in various sectors and increased our humanitarian assistance to meet the needs of those displaced by the conflict. Today, we are donating vital medical supplies to the Ministry of Public Health to ensure that those affected by the conflict continue to receive the critical healthcare they need”.

This shipment brings to 418 tons the total humanitarian assistance provided by the European Union in response to the conflict in Lebanon. The Humanitarian Air Bridge operations started in October 2024, through which the European Union funded a total of 12 flights to Beirut carrying supplies from the EU, its Member States and several humanitarian organisations.