UAE's leaders send aid worth millions to Lebanon

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed sends tonnes of Covid-19 equipment for medics and Sheikha Fatima donates Dh10m to the relief fund

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The UAE sent tens of millions of dirhams worth of aid to Lebanon on Thursday.

President Sheikh Khalifa donated 12 tonnes of protective equipment to safeguard against Covid-19.

The equipment, sent on the orders of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, will support more than 10,000 front-line medical staff in Lebanon.

“The move is part of a series of humanitarian response operations carried out by the UAE to support brotherly and friendly countries to fight Covid-19," state news agency Wam reported.

Sheikha Fatima, chairwoman of the General Women's Union and president of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, donated Dh10 million to support victims of the recent Beirut blast that shattered the city on Tuesday.

The money will go to Emirates Red Crescent's relief project, which supports those affected by the crisis.

“She was quick to respond in order to limit the health problems created by the explosion that shook Beirut on Tuesday evening,” said Wam.

ERC said the Dh10 million donation will help provide urgent health equipment as the population faces “massive health challenges due to the size of the disaster and damage caused”.

A huge explosion at Beirut's port killed at least 137 people, wounded about 5,000 and caused widespread destruction.

French President Emmanuel Macron flew to Lebanon on Thursday for a visit to provide support.

"Lebanon is not alone," he wrote on Twitter, after he was met at the plane by Lebanon's President Michel Aoun.