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US Delivering Critical Emergency Aid to Lebanon

VOA News

   The United States is delivering emergency aid to Lebanon, starting with
   food, water, and medical supplies, under the direction of President
   Donald J. Trump following Tuesday's blast in Beirut, national security
   adviser Robert C. O'Brien said Friday.

   In addition, the U.S. will continue to work with authorities in Lebanon
   to identify further health and humanitarian needs and will provide
   further assistance. The U.S. Agency for International Development is
   deploying a disaster assistance response team to help coordination and
   delivery of assistance, the statement said.

   The Trump administration has initially pledged more than $17 million in
   disaster aid for the country, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, said, and
   "will continue to help the Lebanese people as they recover from this
   tragedy."

   In addition to providing aid, Pompeo said, the U.S. is joining other
   nations in the call for "a thorough and transparent investigation" into
   the cause of the explosion.

   United Nations rescue workers searched the wreckage for survivors
   Friday. French and Russian rescue teams with dogs also searched the
   area Friday.

   Lebanese authorities believe that 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrite stored
   in warehouses for the last six years led to the explosion of this week.

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