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World leaders hold aid summit to help Beirut

Beirut - Level 4

France's president hosted a summit to ask world leaders to help Beirut after the catastrophic explosion last week. A virtual conference was held. The president said Lebanon needed aid immediately. He said: "We must act quickly...so that this aid goes directly to where it is needed. Lebanon's future is at stake." Dozens of pledges of assistance came from Lebanon's neighbours, Europe, Asia, and the USA. The total promised so far is $300 million.

Europe will give $68 million to help Beirut. A spokesperson said: "We are providing humanitarian support to hundreds of thousands of the most vulnerable people." The money will go to charities. Qatar pledged $50 million, the biggest donation from one country. There was spiritual support from the Roman Catholic Church. Pope Francis made a plea saying: "We must all work for the good of this beloved country." He appealed for "generous help".

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Beirut - Level 5

France's President Macron has hosted a summit to ask world leaders to help Beirut. The virtual conference was held after the catastrophic explosion that devastated Lebanon's capital last week. President Macron said Lebanon needed aid immediately. He said: "We must act quickly...so that this aid goes directly to where it is needed. Lebanon's future is at stake." Dozens of pledges of assistance came from Lebanon's neighbours, Europe, Asia, and the USA. The international donors have so far pledged $300 million to help Beirut.

Europe promised over $68 million to help Beirut. A spokesperson said: "As needs rise, we are providing humanitarian support to hundreds of thousands of the most vulnerable people." The funding will go directly to charities. Qatar pledged $50 million, the biggest donation from a single country, while Kuwait offered $40 million. There was also spiritual assistance from the head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis. He made a plea saying: "We must all work for the good of this beloved country." He appealed for "generous help from the international community".

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Beirut - Level 6

French President Emmanuel Macron hosted a summit on Sunday to encourage other world leaders to help Beirut. The virtual conference was held in response to the catastrophic explosion that devastated Lebanon's capital city last week. President Macron said the Lebanese people needed aid immediately and directly. He said: "We must act quickly and efficiently so that this aid goes directly to where it is needed. Lebanon's future is at stake." The conference was co-hosted by the UN and secured pledges of assistance from dozens of countries, including Lebanon's neighbours, countries from Europe and Asia, and the USA. The international donors have so far pledged $300 million to help Beirut.

The European Commission promised over $68 million to help Beirut. An EC spokesperson said: "As needs rise, we are providing humanitarian support to hundreds of thousands of the most vulnerable people." The funding will go directly to charities and UN agencies. The Arab state of Qatar pledged the biggest donation from a single country. It is donating $50 million, while Kuwait offered $40 million. There was also spiritual assistance for the people of Lebanon. The head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis, made a plea saying: "We must all work for the good of this beloved country." He added: "I also renew my appeal for generous help from the international community."

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