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Earlier this month, a fuel truck exploded in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone. More than 100 people were killed and more than 100 injured, with many people suffering from severe burns. Following the accident, Sierra Leone submitted a request for assistance to the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, including a specific request for medical equipment.

On 4 August, French President Macron and the United Nations will hold a third international donor conference to raise funds for emergency aid for the Lebanese people. The video conference will take place exactly one year after the tragic explosion that ravaged the port of Beirut and caused a lot of casualties. The explosion came on top of institutional and socio-economic crises in Lebanon that have only worsened since then.

Belgium has decided to provide emergency assistance to Tunisia, following a request transmitted by this country through the European Mechanism of Civil Protection, in the context of the fight against COVID-19. Tunisia is currently facing a serious deterioration of its health situation and a sharp increase in hospitalizations. The country has informed its European partners of specific needs to help it cope with this situation, including in terms of vaccines. The vaccination rate remains very low in the country and the authorities are trying to accelerate the vaccination campaign.

Belgium has decided to provide emergency assistance to Namibia, following a request transmitted by this country through the European Mechanism for Civil Protection, in the context of the fight against COVID-19. In recent weeks, Namibia has been facing a serious deterioration of its health situation and an increase in hospitalizations. This situation is leading to an important need for protective equipment.

Belgium has decided to provide emergency assistance to Nepal, following a request transmitted by this country through the European Mechanism for Civil Protection, in the context of the fight against COVID-19. In recent weeks, Nepal has been severely affected by a new wave of COVID-19 cases.

Belgium has decided to provide emergency aid to India, which is facing a particularly virulent wave of COVID-19. This aid consists of 9000 vials of Remdesivir, an antiviral drug used in the treatment of COVID-19. These vials come from the strategic stock of the FPS Public Health. This emergency aid will leave in principle this Friday April 30.

Today, Belgium is sending 760,000 masks to Conakry via the emergency aid mechanism B-FAST. In doing so, our country is responding to the request for aid that Guinea submitted to the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) as part of the fight against COVID-19. Like the rest of the world, Guinea has been affected by the pandemic. However, the health situation is further complicated by a measles epidemic, an epidemic of yellow fever and recently also some new Ebola infections which together put an enormous strain on the medical facilities. Belgium wishes to express its solidarity with the Guinean population, which is undergoing a great deal of suffering.

In view of its difficulties in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic in its hospitals, Slovakia has activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism (ECPM). The request formiulated is a temporary reinforcement of the intensive care capacities (related to COVID-19).

Following the fire that broke out at the reception center for asylum seekers in Moria on the island of Lesbos in Greece, Belgium has decided to send a 13-person emergency medical team under the B-FAST mechanism, which involves Defence, Interior, Public Health, Bosa, Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defence, Philippe Goffin, just announced that a C130 military transport aircraft will leave from Melsbroek to Beirut tonight at 8pm with urgent medical and humanitarian equipment for the victims of the huge explosion. Besides the victims and wounded, the enormous devastation has also left many people homeless. To help them, material for temporary shelter will also be sent along.