Paris conference for Lebanon raises $1 billion for humanitarian and military aid

Organised by French President Emmanuel Macron, the International Conference in Support of Lebanon’s People and Sovereignty on Thursday noted the participation of 70 countries, the UN, the EU, and international and regional organisations.

The Paris conference raised $1 billion in pledges for humanitarian and military support ($800 million in humanitarian aid and $200 million for the security forces). Macron had called on participants to bring “massive aid” for Lebanon, as France promised $100 million.

The US has pledged to provide nearly $300 million. Germany promised a total of €96 million in humanitarian support for both Lebanon and Syria. Italy recently announced an additional €10 million for the Middle Eastern country.

Lebanon’s Najib Mikati urges international action

Previously, the UN had estimated the urgent humanitarian needs in Lebanon to be $426 million. But experts fear the delivery of aid could be challenging because of Lebanon’s dependence on informal and cash economy that triggers corruption risks and lack of transparency.

Besides humanitarian aid, the Paris conference also had a considerable focus on strengthening Lebanon’s armed forces so they can deploy in the country’s South as part of a potential deal to end the conflict. Such a deal could see the Hezbollah return from the border.

Najib Mikati, the acting Prime Minister of Lebanon, urged the international community to take action, stressing that the Israelis’ aggression has caused immense human suffering and inflicted severe damage to the country’s infrastructure and economy.