The Ambassador of Lebanon in Saudi Arabia, Mr. Fawzi Kabara, announced the arrival of a plane from Middle East Airlines loaded with medical supplies and oxygen devices, provided by the Lebanese community in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in coordination with the King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Works, valued at 400,000 US dollars.
The National News Agency quoted Ambassador Kabara in a speech at the airport upon the arrival of the aid shipment, confirming the arrival of assistance from the Lebanese community in Saudi Arabia with the support of the Lebanese Foreign Ministry and a recommendation from the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants to assist their people in Lebanon in facing the COVID-19 pandemic. Kabara explained that the aid consists of oxygen devices and equipment for hospitals, municipalities, health centers, and home use, totaling ninety devices, noting that all these devices that arrived from Saudi Arabia meet the highest international specifications. He emphasized that these devices would go to the beneficiaries exactly as the donors recommended via the newly established electronic platform by the Lebanese embassy in Riyadh.
Kabara pointed out that coordination was daily with the King Salman Center, and the economic attaché at the Lebanese embassy in Riyadh was following up daily on the solicitation of offers. The Lebanese Ambassador also highlighted the establishment of an electronic platform where all Lebanese wishing to donate oxygen devices could register, after which they were informed of the account number at the King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Works, which was specifically set up for the Lebanese embassy. The center then handled the purchase of the devices, noting that each donor was aware of all that was required.
The Lebanese Ambassador in Saudi Arabia stated that Minister of Foreign Affairs Charbel Wehbi recommended the donation mechanism due to the shortage of oxygen devices in hospitals and municipalities and the need for these areas given the increase in COVID-19 cases. Kabara confirmed that each donor recommended a distribution site for the devices, and each donor knows where their aid will go, noting that the Lebanese community in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is content and holds a great deal of affection and respect for the Kingdom.
Kabara also mentioned that these devices were purchased through the King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Works, thanking Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, the center's supervisor, and all the staff in the center, as well as everyone who supported this kind initiative. He also expressed gratitude to the Director General of Middle East Airlines, Muhammad al-Hout, who recommended the arrival of the aid without any charge.
For his part, the Director of the King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Works in Lebanon, Abdul Rahman Al-Qurashi, confirmed that the center will deliver the aid to the deserving recipients. Al-Qurashi explained that the center's activities are diverse and support all sectors, indicating that "the center will continue at the same pace and more, and the distribution of aid will be based on needs and field surveys, taking into account the requests of the donors."
The plane from Middle East Airlines, loaded with medical supplies and oxygen devices, arrived at Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut at 10 PM today, provided by the Lebanese community in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in coordination with the King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Works. Accompanying the flight was the Lebanese Ambassador in Saudi Arabia, Mr. Fawzi Kabara, who was welcomed at the airport by Abdul Rahman Al-Qurashi, the Director of the King Salman Center in Lebanon, who noted that the aid will be distributed to the Lebanese Red Cross and various hospitals and health centers in Lebanon.
