NNA – Lebanon on Thursday received an emergency humanitarian shipment of nearly 1,000 tons from Egypt through the Port of Beirut, as officials highlighted the scale of the humanitarian crisis and the need for coordinated relief efforts amid ongoing hostilities.
The handover took place at the container terminal in the presence of Public Works and Transport Minister, Fayez Rasamny, Social Affairs Minister, Haneen Sayed, and an Egyptian delegation headed by Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, along with Egypt’s ambassador to Lebanon, Alaa Moussa.
Also attending was a delegation from the Higher Relief Commission, Beirut Port interim chairman, Marwan Naffi, and representatives of partner entities, notably the CMA CGM Foundation, which transported the shipment free of charge under the "Containers of Hope" initiative.
The aid delivery is part of broader Arab humanitarian efforts and aligns with Lebanon’s national response plan to ensure structured and transparent distribution to displaced populations and host communities.
Rasamny said the visit "goes beyond a routine engagement and reflects a clear, practical message that Lebanon is not alone," expressing gratitude to Egypt’s leadership, government and people. Moreover, the Minister stressed that Lebanon is going through "one of its most critical phases," with the displacement crisis worsening as a result of the ongoing war since 2024.
Addressing displaced families directly, he acknowledged the hardship of losing homes and security, emphasizing that the Lebanese state is closely monitoring the crisis through continuous meetings and a crisis management framework to ensure proper coordination, meet urgent needs, and safeguard the dignity of those affected until their safe return.
Rasamny then noted that the shipment included medical supplies to support the healthcare system, food baskets and essential goods designated for shelters, as well as logistical equipment and hygiene kits for affected families.
Furthermore, Rasamny underscored the importance of national unity, warning against divisive rhetoric and stating that "no crisis can be overcome without cohesion and collective responsibility."
For his part, Abdelatty said his visit, his fifth to Lebanon in less than two years, was carried out under directives from President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to provide all forms of support to Lebanon in what he described as a "difficult and defining moment."
He said the assistance, though "modest and symbolic," reflects the deep historical and fraternal ties between the two countries and aims to help alleviate the burden of internal displacement caused by what he described as "Israeli aggression against Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity."
Abdelatty then reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to continue providing assistance and intensifying diplomatic engagement with regional and international actors, including the United States and France, to de-escalate tensions and prevent further deterioration. He warned that any loss of control could have serious economic and geopolitical repercussions for the entire region.
The Egyptian official reiterated Egypt’s strong condemnation of Israeli strikes targeting civilian infrastructure and called for an immediate halt to ground incursions and air raids. He also stressed the need for full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, enabling Lebanese state institutions,particularly the army, to assert control over all Lebanese territory.
Meanwhile, Minister Haneen Sayed described the shipment as "not merely humanitarian aid, but a clear message of solidarity," thanking Egypt for its continued support at a critical time.
She said the assistance will be distributed in line with the national response plan, based on needs and priorities, through official channels and in coordination with partners to ensure rapid delivery to the most vulnerable families, both in shelters and host communities.
Sayed further emphasized that transparency and organization are essential to ensure fair distribution and that aid reaches its intended beneficiaries efficiently. She expressed hope that the crisis would pass with minimal losses and that Lebanon would soon regain stability and security.
At the end of the press conference, the ministers toured the container terminal at the Port of Beirut, where they inspected unloading operations and the humanitarian shipment.
