2006 press releases
Arrival of First Shipment of U.S. Humanitarian Assistance
Ambassador Feltman Reiterates U.S. Commitment to Lebanon and the Lebanese People
July 25, 2006U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey D. Feltman handed over the first shipment of
humanitarian assistance to Lebanon to the International Committee for the Red
Cross (ICRC) Head of Delegation Andreas Wigger at the U.S. Embassy in Awkar,
July 25, 2006, at 3:00 p.m. Secretary of State Rice has authorized $30 million
in immediate humanitarian assistance to victims of the conflict in Lebanon. The
U.S. remains deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in Lebanon and
this response to the appeal from the United Nations and other organizations will
help address some of the most pressing needs of conflict victims.
Today’s first delivery consisted of two large-scale medical packages
aimed at meeting the most urgent needs. Each Emergency Health Kit contains
enough medicine and supplies to meet the basic medical needs of 10,000 people
for a three month period. The United States will also begin delivering other
direct U.S. assistance to Lebanon, including plastic sheeting and blankets,
starting July 25. The United States will continue to do everything possible to
support the Government of Lebanon as it seeks to address the needs of its
people.
The shipment is made available though the United States Agency
for International Development (USAID) Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance
(OFDA), and will be channeled directly to the ICRC in Beirut. The ICRC will
handle its distribution to people in need in the most affected areas.