On Tuesday late afternoon, a double explosion caused by no less than 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate sowed chaos in the capital of Lebanon. As of now, the provisional toll stands at 113 dead and more than 4,000 injured. Like many countries including France, the presidents of the region and the department, as well as the mayor of Nice, have expressed their desire to implement various solidarity actions.
Yesterday around midday, the main political figures of the region reacted to the dreadful news coming from Beirut. As the provisional toll continues to rise by the hour, Christian Estrosi, Charles Ange Ginésy, and Renaud Muselier each expressed their support for the Lebanese people during this disaster.
Christian Estrosi (mayor of Nice and president of the Euromed Cities Network): “I have personally spoken with Jamal Itani (mayor of Beirut), as well as with Antoine Djebara (vice-president of the Euromed Cities Network and mayor of Jdeidé), also heavily impacted by the explosion. As President of the Euromed Cities Network, to which the cities of Beirut and Nice belong, I assured them of the full solidarity of all Metropolitans and residents of Nice, and of my intention to provide them with active and effective support in this catastrophe affecting the Lebanese capital and the entire country. From now on, and without prejudging future actions in favor of the inhabitants and institutions of Beirut, I have instructed the management and teams of the Communal Center for Social Action (CCAS) of Nice, alongside my deputy Jennifer Salles-Barbosa dedicated to Solitaries, to urgently gather material and financial resources, fully respecting the current provisions.”
Charles Ange Ginésy (president of the Alpes-Maritimes department): “On behalf of the Alpes-Maritimes department, I express my total solidarity with the Lebanese people and the residents of Beirut following the disaster that has struck the country’s capital and has already claimed so many victims. In the face of this tragedy and in solidarity with Lebanon, I will propose, along with Deputy Eric Ciotti, President of the Department’s Finance Commission, during the next plenary session, the vote for an exceptional grant of €50,000 to the charitable and humanitarian associations currently working on the ground. Furthermore, as President of the Board of Directors of the SDIS of Alpes-Maritimes, I immediately place at the disposal of the Minister of the Interior the necessary material and human resources to respond to any emergency needs the Government wishes to address on-site.”
Renaud Muselier (president of the PACA region): “With ACTED (the Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development), the Order of Malta, the CMA-CGM Foundation, and other humanitarian actors in Lebanon, the PACA region will participate in the support effort for the people of Beirut. In a context of an already pronounced health, economic, and social crisis, this catastrophe occurs at the worst possible time. More than just humanitarian aid, this support today is a major issue. It helps to assume and ensure the central position of France with the populations of the Levant while standing with kindness and strength alongside our friendly peoples.”
