On October 9, the European Union unveiled an initiative to establish an “air corridor” aimed at streamlining the delivery of humanitarian aid to Lebanon.

In a statement from the European Commission, it was noted that the air corridor will commence with three flights originating from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and Brindisi in Italy. These flights are tasked with transporting vital supplies, including hygiene products, blankets, and emergency shelter materials, directly to Beirut, Lebanon’s capital. The first flight is expected to touch down in Beirut on October 11.

Beyond the creation of this air corridor, the European Commission is mobilizing member states to assist Lebanon by covering transportation costs. Countries such as France, Belgium, Spain, Poland, and Slovakia have already dispatched medical supplies and relief materials since last week, with additional support from Greece also on the way.

This announcement underscores the EU’s dedication to leveraging all available emergency resources to aid the Lebanese population affected by the ongoing conflict. The EU’s emergency response coordination center will work closely with member states and humanitarian partners to amplify their aid efforts in Lebanon.

The situation in Lebanon has worsened significantly since a telecommunications explosion on September 17, which heightened tensions between Israel and Lebanon. Consequently, the humanitarian crisis has escalated, resulting in unprecedented displacement levels. Millions of Lebanese citizens and Syrian refugees are now grappling with severe food shortages, a condition that continues to deteriorate.

In response to these pressing needs, the EU allocated an additional €10 million in humanitarian assistance to Lebanon on September 29, followed by another €30 million on October 3. These recent emergency assistance packages have brought the total aid provided by the EU to Lebanon this year to €104 million.