LOC15:53
12:53 GMT
BEIRUT, Aug 5 (KUNA) -- Lebanese Health Minister Hamad Hassan said on Friday that the death toll from the explosion at the Beirut port increased to 154, and 5,000 wounded.
The number of critical cases reached 120, noting that flying glass led to severe injuries that require delicate surgery, he added.
Ambulance and rescue teams are continuing to search for the missing under the rubble and have managed to retrieve three bodies today, while the fate of dozens of missing people is not known yet.
Regarding humanitarian and medical aid, Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport continues to receive Arab and international aid that Kuwait started through an air bridge between Kuwait and Beirut.
This includes medicines, food, medical supplies and equipment, as well as teams to participate in relief work.
In a related context, the US embassy announced that, in response to the horrific tragedy, the US pledged to provide primary disaster aid to Lebanon of more than USD 17 million.
The embassy added in a statement that the aid includes medical supplies and foodstuffs, as well as financial aid for the Lebanese Red Cross (LRC).
In turn, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Lebanon announced its support for relief and recovery efforts following the devastating Beirut explosion.
UNHCR is working with UN agencies and partner associations closely with the Lebanese people and the concerned authorities to assess the damage and determine the best way to help, it added.
The efforts of its teams are mainly focused on shelter, health and protection, also UNHCR is working closely with the LRC to construct temporary shelters for those who have lost their homes and to relocate others.
Last Tuesday, according to official estimates, the explosion destroyed the homes of more than 300,000 people, completely or partially, leaving their residents homeless, in addition to massive damage to cars and infrastructure. (end)
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