The Ministry of Defense has provided an explanation regarding the distribution of compensations to citizens affected by the Beirut Port explosion.
The National News Agency reported that the Directorate of Guidance at the Army Command held a press conference today in the Hall of General Najim at the Ministry of Defense in Yarzeh, during which it outlined the process of distributing compensations to citizens affected by the explosion. Colonel Elias Aad, head of the press and media department in the Directorate, explained the progress of financial aid distribution to housing unit occupants, the field damage assessment phase, and its overall results.
Aad revealed that the process included 20 government institutions, 14,848 commercial establishments, 5,251 commercial companies, 4,100 shared sections, 991 restaurants and pubs, 92 educational institutions, 14 hospitals, 25 hotels, 91 religious establishments, and 62,087 housing units. He clarified that distributing an amount of 100 billion Lebanese pounds is insufficient for all housing units, so it was decided to start compensating units classified as ordinary as a first priority, followed by those classified as medium, beginning with homes closest to the explosion site and focusing on the most urgent repairs (windows, doors, etc.).
Aad noted that distributions began on October 26, 2020, and concluded on December 3, 2020. This phase covered areas such as Gemmayzeh, Mawar, Karnaytina, Mar Mikhael, Sassine, Karantina, Rmeil, Karam el-Zaytoun, Rizq, Roum, Tabaris, Ashrafiyeh, Adlieh, Hotel Dieu, the waterfront of Doura, and Antelias, affecting 12,472 damaged units with a total cost of 100 billion pounds.
Aad spoke about the distribution of 50 billion pounds up to February 26, 2021, which was transferred to the army treasury on February 12, 2021, detailing its distribution and mentioning some observations on the distribution process. He explained the reasons for not receiving the first payment of financial assistance, asserting that "the distribution process will continue until the 50 billion pounds are fully distributed, likely taking around seven working days. Once the residential units are completed, compensation for cars, companies, and commercial institutions will begin as soon as the amounts are transferred from the Ministry of Finance."
Aad indicated that "the amount of 150 billion pounds represents approximately 10% of the 1,500 billion allocated for compensations as stated in Law 194. The amounts expected to be obtained to complete the first payment for the damaged housing units across various categories amount to 253,825,500,000 pounds."
