by ADRA International, courtesy Adventist News Network

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) delivered tons of nutritional provisions on a special humanitarian flight from Slovakia as part of its expanded emergency response to help children and families affected by the devasting August 4 Beirut explosion. This latest assistance is helping ADRA expand its relief operations, which has so far focused on providing emergency food, water, and essential supplies to victims and first responders since the day of the explosion.

“We are facing an unsurmountable humanitarian crisis. Relief assistance reports indicate that close to a million people cannot afford basic needs. Even before the explosion, food security in Lebanon was a cause of serious concern,” says Mario Oliveira, emergency management director for ADRA. “Our teams are working around the clock assisting families and children. We are deeply grateful to our humanitarian partners for responding and pledging their support to ADRA’s on-going relief operations.”

The explosion killed more than 178 people, injured at least 6,000, and left some 300,000 individuals homeless. ADRA has already launched water, sanitation, and hygiene initiatives, and is coordinating joint efforts with humanitarian partners to address the needs of survivors more promptly. The relief agency plans to work with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to assist displaced households with emergency shelter and protection assistance. At least 170,000 apartments and 150 schools including ADRA’s Learning center for refugee children were damaged by the blast.

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