Beirut: More than 134 cubic meters of medical supplies have arrived in Lebanon today by land, enabled by the European Union Humanitarian Aid (ECHO) and Dubai Humanitarian. This shipment significantly boosts Lebanon's capacity to provide essential health services amidst the ongoing crisis.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, the World Health Organization's (WHO) Incident Management Support Team (IMST) response includes trauma emergency surgical kits, essential medicines, medical supplies, and logistics support. This ECHO-funded shipment plays a critical role in reinforcing the national health response led by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), ensuring continuity of care for populations affected by the emergency.
The shipment, dispatched on 20 March 2026 from the WHO Dubai Hub, traveled through the United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the Syrian Arab Republic, before entering Lebanon via Masnaa Border and arriving in Beirut. It comprises 105 pallets, weighing 21,494 kg and covering a volume of 134.21 cubic meters.
Primarily funded by ECHO, with additional support from WHO's Contingency Fund for Emergencies (CFE), the shipment is expected to benefit around 6,000 trauma and emergency surgical care patients. Additionally, it will support approximately 4,000 people living with diabetes by providing essential supplies for glucose monitoring through primary health care centers and services in shelters.
The consignment includes trauma emergency surgical kits and supplies for hospital-based emergency care, critical hospital medicines, primary health care medicines including antibiotics, and essential items for diabetes screening and glucose monitoring. These supplies will sustain trauma and emergency surgical services in hospitals previously trained and supported by WHO, while also reinforcing service delivery across the MoPH-supported primary health care network, including primary health care centers and selected shelter-based services.
Dr. Abdinasir Abubakar, WHO Representative in Lebanon, emphasized the importance of this shipment. He stated, "Thanks to ECHO's support, WHO is able to rapidly deliver critical medical supplies to sustain life-saving services across Lebanon. This shipment strengthens trauma care capacity in hospitals while ensuring continuity of care for patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes. At a time of increased need, this support is essential to protect the health and dignity of vulnerable communities."
WHO remains committed to working closely with the Ministry of Public Health and partners to ensure equitable access to essential health services for all populations affected by the crisis.