Rebuilding Lebanon, country severely damaged after one month of war, will take time… and quite a lot of money.
On 31 August, in an international meeting in Stockholm, the EU Commission presented a first assessment of damage in Lebanon to the Donors' Conference for reconstruction in Lebanon.
According to European satellite assessment, it seems that some 1,500 buildings, 21 bridges over River Litani, over 500 sections of roads and over 500 cultivated fields have been destroyed or damaged in southern Lebanon. The Lebanese government estimates that some 15,000 homes were destroyed. In Beirut, all access to the airport, as well as several motorway sections have also been damaged. Furthermore and according to Oxfam (quoting figures by the Lebanese government), Israeli bombing affected 85% of the 195,000 farmers in the country, causing damage and loss estimated at between $135 million and $185 million. And the Lebanese authorities estimate total damage at around $3.5 billion.
So far, the EU Commission and Member States have together raised nearly €120 million in humanitarian aid for Lebanon. Some fifty governments and ten international organisations present yesterday stated their intention to contribute with some €735 million to the reconstruction of Lebanon, twice the amount aimed by the organisers. The EU, the US and the Gulf countries are the biggest donors. To Fuad Siniora, Lebanon's Prime Minister, this proves that Lebanon is not alone. However it is necessary that Israel lifts the blockade so that aid can reach the country. And that UN resolution 1701 be well applied...
sources: Agence Europe, El Pais, etc.
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