The Lebanese Army leadership clarified in a press conference how it is proceeding with the compensation procedures for those affected by the Beirut port explosion. It indicated that after the survey revealed that the 100 billion lira allocated is insufficient to compensate all victims, it decided to provide compensations as follows:
1. Priority compensation for units classified as regular, followed by those classified as medium.
2. Compensation for homeowners who are most closely located to the explosion site.
3. Assistance in carrying out the most urgent repairs, such as doors and windows.
The Army leadership stated that as of February 26, 2021, financial compensations have been distributed to 4,635 affected housing units from the allocated 50 billion lira, according to the same criteria previously used during the distribution of the 100 billion lira. The total number of beneficiaries since the start of aid distribution until February 26, 2021, reached 17,107 housing units.
The Army confirmed that it will continue distributing the first round of compensations for regular and medium classified units that have not yet benefited. Subsequently, it will address compensations for units classified as deluxe and super deluxe as well as heritage buildings according to the same previously established criteria, pending the transfer of additional amounts by the Council of Ministers.
Once the housing units are completed, the focus will shift to compensating those affected in terms of vehicles, businesses, and commercial institutions as soon as the necessary funds are transferred to the Army's treasury. A schedule detailing the amounts needed to complete the first round of compensations for those whose apartments were damaged was also provided.
