Complications in the Beirut Blast investigations
New aids for the homeless & the affected
Photo Credit: The New Arab
In a latest update on the Beirut Blast case, Caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab, refused to be questioned by a judge who accused him and three former ministers of negligence in connection with the explosion.
Consequently, former PM Saad El Hariri, rushed to Diab’s aid claiming, that no one would be allowed to encroach on the prime minister’s position; a position that a Sunni holds under the sectarian power-sharing system. As for the other three individuals, two of which belong to Shia political parties, made similar comments.
Comically and sadly, the Lebanese people are still waiting for answers four months since one of the biggest non-nuclear blasts that almost tore a hole in the planet. Over 200 lives were lost and our ‘benefactors’ are still squabbling over sectarian issues as if nothing had happened and as if who owns what, is more important than human life.
Dr. Najat Rochdi, UN Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Dec 8, 2020, photo credit: UNhabitat.org
Humanitarian Update
UN-Habitat through funding from the UN Central Emergency Relief Fund (UN CERF) and in collaboration with the Polish Centre for International Aid (PCPM), announced cash-for-rent for 800 families affected by the Beirut Blast. This project came into existence due to the fact that many are still displaced and are living in temporary accommodation, shared shelters or at the homes of their friends and families. Also, countless families continue to live in their damaged homes, despite risk of the buildings collapsing, due to the fear of losing their right to return. As UN-Habitat initiated a project involving 4,000 beneficiaries, for a minimum of three months.
In addition to providing a roof over their heads, UN-Habitat will provide beneficiaries with the opportunity to participate in awareness raising sessions on COVID-19 preventative measures, as well as critical protection related information enabling individuals to protect themselves against sexual and gender-based violence.