Kuwait’s first relief airlift plane arrives in Lebanon

The first plane to aid airlift provided by the State of Kuwait arrived at Rafic Hariri Airport today, Wednesday. It brought vital medical and humanitarian supplies in response to the challenging circumstances Lebanon is facing due to the attacks by the Israeli occupation forces.

The Chargé d’Affaires of the Kuwaiti Embassy in Lebanon, Minister Plenipotentiary, Abdullah Al-Shaheen, informed the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that, following directives from Kuwait’s political leadership, the first Kuwaiti Air Force aircraft arrived at Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut. This is part of an ongoing air bridge that will continue in the coming days, delivering critical medical and hospital supplies.

Al-Shaheen added that successive planes would carry additional humanitarian and relief supplies. He stated that this effort is being coordinated between the relevant authorities in both Kuwait and Lebanon, along with the Emergency Committee in the Lebanese Prime Minister’s Office. This is meant to assess and determine the necessary mechanisms, needs, and requirements for the aid.

Furthermore, Al-Shaheen pointed out that parallel with the airlift of aid, another route for delivering assistance will be implemented once the necessary arrangements are completed.

Al-Shaheen paid tribute to the leadership of the Kuwaiti Army, its members and the Air Force for their efforts and pivotal role, especially in promoting the values of giving and generosity, as well as advancing the humanitarian work of the State of Kuwait.

Expressing his views, the Director General of the Lebanese Ministry of Health, Fadi Sinan, stated that, given the difficult circumstances Lebanon is currently facing, any form of aid has a positive and significant impact on the people of Lebanon. He emphasized that, during this challenging time, Lebanon is in urgent need of various types of support; both from its brothers and friends.

In affirmation, Sinan added that as a health sector, Kuwait has been by our side since its inception and has done us many favors, as evidenced by government hospitals and other healthcare facilities. He also highlighted that the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development has played a key role in establishing and renovating many government hospitals across Lebanon.

Furthermore, Sinan explained that Lebanon is receiving today the first aid plane from the State of Kuwait as part of a series of airlifts carrying medical supplies. Moreover, tomorrow and the day after, they will receive additional planes carrying various forms of relief aid.

Sinan expressed his heartfelt and deepest gratitude to the State of Kuwait, its government, and its people for standing by Lebanon during these difficult times, as the country suffers from the attacks by the Israeli occupation forces.

The Kuwaiti Air Force plane was welcomed at the airport by the Chargé d’Affaires of the Kuwaiti Embassy in Lebanon, Minister Plenipotentiary, Abdullah Al-Shaheen, along with the embassy staff and representatives from the Lebanese Ministry of Health.