Lebanon receives aid from WHO, UN refugee agency

Lebanon has received medical and relief aid from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Friday, with an additional aid plane carrying 55 tons of supplies arriving from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The first shipment was welcomed by Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad who emphasized the importance of this support.

"We are here at Rafic Hariri Airport in Beirut, receiving a shipment of medical supplies and medicines for the war-wounded, prepared by the WHO and the UNHCR, with the support from the UAE. An air bridge will be established from the UAE, with another plane coming today loaded with 55 tons of aid," said Firas Abiad, Lebanese Health Minister.

The delivery of aid was attended by representatives from both the WHO and UNHCR, who expressed their support for Lebanon and called on the international community to help with de-escalation efforts.

"I think the WHO and the UN system in general, we are committed to alleviating the pressure for Lebanon and the people of Lebanon as well as other people who are vulnerable, people who are living in the country into that. And we stand by with the government and also for the people of Lebanon to overcome this challenge," said Abdinasir Abubakar, WHO Representative in Lebanon.

"This is the time for the international community, first of all, to bring an end to conflict and hostilities. In the absence thereof, we all need to ramp up and show solidarity and bring in more resources. And all organizations, the government needs support and all humanitarian organizations need further financial support. So, we call on donors to respond to the flash appeal, the emergency appeal in a very expedient and comprehensive manner," said Ivo Freijsen, UNHCR Representative in Lebanon.

The National News Agency (NNA) reported on Friday that Italy granted 17 million euros (around 18.65 million U.S. dollars) to support the civilian population affected by the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Lebanon.

Meanwhile, the news agency said Britain is boosting its humanitarian support for Lebanon with an additional 10 million pounds (about 13.12 million dollars).

Among those affected, children bore the brunt of the conflict, which has dramatically escalated between Israel and Hezbollah across Lebanon these days.

More than 690 children have reportedly been injured in Lebanon over the past six weeks. The most common injuries they suffered include concussions and traumatic brain injuries from the impact of blasts, shrapnel wounds, limb injuries, and hearing loss, according to a statement by the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF).

Meanwhile, it is estimated that more than 400,000 children have been displaced from their homes.

UNICEF urged the international community to mobilize humanitarian support and ensure that supply routes into Lebanon remain open, allowing for the rapid and safe delivery of life-saving aid to needy children. It also called for an urgent ceasefire and protection of children by all parties.

Since Sept. 23, the Israeli army has been conducting intensive airstrikes on Lebanon in a dangerous escalation with Hezbollah.

Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad reported on Thursday that a total of 1,974 people have been killed, including 127 children and 261 women, and 9,384 others wounded in Lebanon since the onset of the Hezbollah-Israeli conflict in October last year.

Lebanon receives aid from WHO, UN refugee agency

Lebanon receives aid from WHO, UN refugee agency

Sao Paulo has embraced the first of 14 five-car trainsets that China's e-vehicle brand BYD is supplying for the city's long-awaited monorail project.

Being plagued by delays, the construction for Sao Paulo's Monorail Gold Line was supposed to be finished for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. According to the government, the monorail will start running in the first half of 2026, more than a decade beyond the original plan.

"Let's see if it finally happens this time. It's already been ten years since it was supposed to be finished. Let's see if it will help the people at last. It would make my commute much easier. Here in Sao Paulo at any time of the day, you'll hit a traffic jam somewhere," said Matheus Brandao, TV camera operator.

All the trains that will service this line are manufactured in China, each of which are composed of five cars with a total capacity of 600 passengers.

Tyler Lee, president of BYD Brazil, said that the latest technologies are duly incorporated into their design.

"For this train, we don't have a driver. Like I said, it's totally automatic. And with the air suspension, passengers will feel comfortable taking this kind of train," he said.

As China continues to emerge in the field of new energy, the Brazilian government is eagerly seeking new cooperation opportunities.

Tarcisio de Freitas, Sao Paulo Governor, highly appraised the impressive performance demonstrated by Chinese companies.

"This opens the door to other investments, as we have the ambition in our government plan to greatly expand the monorail system. Obviously, we want to rely on the expertise and investment of those who do this with excellence, and who do it a lot. So, of course, Chinese companies are very welcomed," said Freitas.

BYD delivers first train of Sao Paulo's monorail line project