British support for displaced families of the Lebanese Army

British Chargé d’Affaires Victoria Dunne and Deputy Military Attaché Thomas Hobbs met with officers from the Lebanese Army to deliver British aid designated for displaced families of the Lebanese Army at the Army Logistics Services Center in Beirut.

According to a statement from the British Embassy, the UK Ministry of Defence provided essential and practical assistance worth more than $150,000, coordinated and delivered in partnership with the Lebanese Army. The aid included personal hygiene supplies, bedding, washing machines and cleaning materials, in response to the needs of hundreds of families affected by the conflict. This comes in addition to the $27 million announced last week in response to the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, bringing total British support since March to $40 million.

The statement noted that the devastating conflict in Lebanon has caused a major humanitarian crisis that has weighed heavily on civilians. More than one million people have been forced to flee their towns and villages and now face the risk of prolonged displacement. Homes and vital infrastructure have been destroyed. Families of the Lebanese Army are among those directly affected, undermining their sense of safety and dignity.

It added that “the ceasefire announced on April 16 offers critically important hope for civilians trapped in the conflict. The United Kingdom will continue to support diplomatic channels in pursuit of lasting peace.”

It continued: “For more than a decade, the United Kingdom has provided vital support to the Lebanese Army as a trusted partner through training and the provision of equipment. Since 2009, the United Kingdom has trained thousands of personnel and allocated more than $150 million for this purpose,” stressing that “the United Kingdom remains committed to supporting Lebanon’s stability and recovery, and will work to strengthen our long-term partnership with the Lebanese Army.”

Chargé d’Affaires Victoria Dunne explained that “the delivery of emergency aid is a direct response to the humanitarian crisis, which has also affected families of the Lebanese Army. The United Kingdom will continue to support the Army, as well as the humanitarian response being led by the Lebanese government, given its fundamental importance to security and stability.”

For his part, Deputy Military Attaché Thomas Hobbs said: “Displaced families of the Lebanese Army are among the groups directly affected by the conflict. This support reflects the United Kingdom’s commitment to standing by those impacted, while continuing to support the Lebanese Army as the only legitimate authority entrusted with defending Lebanon.”