Minister of Health receives a donation of medicines and supplies from the United Nations Population Fund

Minister of Public Health Rakan Nasser Al-Din received a donation from the United Nations Population Fund at the central drug warehouse in Karantina, in the presence of the Fund's Deputy Executive Director Mr. Andrew Saberton, who is visiting Lebanon, and the Fund's Representative in Lebanon, Anandita Philipose.

The donation includes 14 tons of medicines and medical supplies for government hospitals, ensuring that 13,500 displaced pregnant women receive maternal and reproductive health care services, in addition to ensuring safe delivery and emergency care. The donation also includes medicines, supplies, and medical equipment for family planning and blood transfusion, which are essential elements for the health response in light of the current crisis.

Nasser Al-Din praised "the support that Lebanon receives from its international partners, at a time when health, hospital, and emergency needs are increasing significantly under the weight of the ongoing war and brutal aggression on Lebanon."

He said: "The Ministry is building relationships of trust with its international partners, and this was reflected in the meetings of the World Health Assembly in Geneva, where the majority of its members approved a resolution to protect health and hospital teams in Lebanon, preserving the rights of members of these teams who make great sacrifices to fulfill their humanitarian duty."

He pointed out that "the resolution, which had been approved unanimously by the Council of Arab Health Ministers, obtained in the General Assembly the approval of 95 votes against two opposing votes, demonstrating the extent of solidarity with Lebanon and constituting a confirmation of the rights of health teams."

For his part, Saberton affirmed that "the United Nations Population Fund stands firmly alongside the Lebanese people amid the conditions of acute conflict that Lebanon is witnessing, which leads to massive displacement and direct attacks on the health system."

He said: "Thanks to the vital partnership with the Ministry and the support of the European Union, our joint efforts have enabled the implementation of three successful shipments within the European Humanitarian Air Bridge, securing life-saving reproductive health supplies for more than 325 primary health care centers and hospitals."

He added: "Since March 2, the United Nations Population Fund has purchased and delivered 105 reproductive health emergency kits, noting that this vital health response goes hand in hand with broader efforts to protect Lebanese communities."

The Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund praised the Government of Lebanon "for its leadership of the humanitarian response, including the leading role of the Ministry of Social Affairs, which coordinates the comprehensive national emergency response and ensures comprehensive social protection for all." He continued: "The joint efforts of the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Social Affairs form the backbone of Lebanon's resilience."

He spoke about his observations in Beirut, saying: "I was deeply moved during my visit to Beirut over the past two days, starting from my meeting with displaced families and local partners in collective shelters, to my discussions with government officials. I have seen up close the harsh impact this crisis is having on women and girls, but I have also been inspired by the exceptional dedication of frontline workers in the health and social sectors in Lebanon."

He concluded by affirming that "his message is clear and revolves around the necessity of securing sustainable funding that links the immediate humanitarian response with strengthening long-term resilience." He stressed "the necessity of ensuring that women, girls, and youth remain at the core of the comprehensive response and recovery efforts in Lebanon."