Emergency Committee convenes at Grand Serail, tackles aid distribution amid escalating crisis

Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, on Monday chaired a meeting of the "Ministerial Emergency Committee" at the Grand Serail to address the growing humanitarian crisis across Lebanon. The session gathered several key ministers and officials to discuss the distribution of aid provided by friendly nations in response to the escalating violence nationwide. Environment Minister, Nasser Yassin, speaking after the meeting, highlighted the mechanism for distributing relief supplies through local governors and municipal authorities, ensuring proper documentation and oversight. 'The Ministry of Social Affairs will assist in monitoring to ensure aid reaches those in need, with updates shared on the government's official website,' Yassin said. He also addressed water and sanitation challenges in the shelters, noting that many were ill-equipped to accommodate large numbers of displaced people. The Minister further acknowledged the logistical difficulties but emphasized ongoing collaboration with UNICEF and other p artners to improve conditions, including repairs to over 200 schools serving as temporary shelters. In turn, Minister of Economy, Amin Salam, urged patience amidst criticisms of delays in aid distribution, citing the complexity of coordinating in a war environment. He reassured the public that all aid is being properly documented and distributed, dismissing accusations of mismanagement as baseless. It is to note that further meetings are planned to explore longer-term shelter solutions for displaced families. Source: National News Agency - Lebanon