On the initiative of the Minister of Defense, Hon. Lorenzo Guerini, the “Emergenza Cedri” (Cedars’ Emergency) operation, a medical and humanitarian support mission, was launched following the explosion of 4 August in the port of Beirut. In this context, last night the San Giusto ship arrived at the port of Beirut, which left 5 days ago from Brindisi port in Italy, carrying assets from the Italian Navy and the Italian Army.
The San Giusto ship carries on board a field hospital, the same used in Italy during the COVID emergency, which will be set up in the campus of the Lebanese University in Hadath, and a rubble removal team from the Italian Army Engineering Unit that will help in the rubble clearing operations in the area of the port in addition to a CBRN core. The Italian initiative responds to the request for immediate humanitarian and medical aid sent by the Lebanese Armed Forces, following the explosion of 4 August and the serious COVID-19 emergency that is affecting the Lebanese population.
“The arrival today of the San Giusto ship in Beirut is a further sign of the strong and fraternal closeness of Italy and the Italian Defense to the Lebanese population in such a difficult time for the country”, said Defense Minister Lorenzo Guerini, who will pay tomorrow, Monday 24 August, an official visit to Beirut.
“The Italian soldiers, for 38 years, have been constantly present in Lebanon, putting their professionalism at the service of stability and security strengthening, providing the necessary assistance. Today, with this new humanitarian mission, the historical bond* between the two countries is strengthened”, the Minister added, underlining the efficient work that about 1200 Italian soldiers, engaged in the UNIFIL mission, carry out every day in a complex context.
Tomorrow is also expected the arrival of the military ship ETNA with other humanitarian aid thanks to the collaboration between the Italian Navy and the Francesca Rava Nph Italia Onlus Foundation. This collaboration responds to the request for assistance from the seriously damaged Saint Georges Hospital, which will be donated electro-medical apparatus, medical and personal protective equipment and other material useful for the population.
