In an instant, the explosion \u201cflattened vital infrastructure and shattered windows near and far\u201d, he stated. \u201cSurrounding neighborhoods were levelled. Many thousands are now homeless\u201d.\u00a0 And three hospitals were left inoperable, while two others sustained substantial damage. \u201cThe shock waves were felt across the city \u2013 and indeed across the Mediterranean\u201d, the UN chief said, adding that \u201cthe economic, social and other reverberations\u201d will continue for some time.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to news reports, Lebanon\u2019s Prime Minister took to national television late on Monday, to announce his resignation along with that of the Government, citing endemic political corruption. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A difficult time<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Against the backdrop of economic hardship, COVID-19<\/a> and multiple other challenges, Mr. Guterres lauded the Lebanese people for remaining \u201cgenerous hosts\u201d to large Palestine and Syrian refugee communities. \u00a0In the past few days, the UN chief said he\u2019d seen \u201cthat spirit yet again\u201d, as neighbours help neighbours clear the streets of broken glass, \u201copening their homes to those who have lost theirs.\u201d \u201cI call for robust international support for all people in need in Lebanon, especially women and girls who are most vulnerable in times of crisis\u201d, he underscored. And while thanking those countries that are already providing \u201ctangible financial, material and specialized assistance\u201d, he urged donors to give \u201cspeedily and generously\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n At a time of both sorrow and prolonged frustration, the UN chief maintained that \u201cthe anger of the Lebanese people is palpable\u201d and \u201ctheir voices must be heard\u201d. \u00a0He called for a \u201ccredible and transparent investigation\u201d to determine the exact cause of the explosion and bring about the accountability \u201cdemanded by the Lebanese people\u201d. He said long-term political reform was also needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Noting that profound sense of loss and disbelief, he noted that Lebanon was resilient. \u201cLebanon has immense spirit and will\u201d, he said, while also underscoring that it is not alone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n He pledged the Organization would continue its support for Beirut and the people of Lebanon \u201cin every possible way\u201d and vowed that the UN would stand in unity to help \u201calleviate the immediate suffering and support its recovery\u201d .<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chairing the meeting, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock said <\/a>the the \u201cswift and wide-ranging\u201d humanitarian response was in its first of three phases.\u00a0 He said that the second, recovery and reconstruction, would \u201ccost billions of dollars and require a mix of public and private finance\u201d, while the third will be to respond to the Lebanon\u2019s pre-exciting socioeconomic crisis, which is already exacerbated by COVID-19.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTuesday\u2019s blast will have repercussions far beyond those we see in front of us now\u201d, he warned, encouraging donors to \u201ccome together and put their shoulder to the wheel\u201d for collective response to the Lebanese people. In closing, he said that the blast \u201cripped through any pretence that all is well in Lebanon\u201d. \u201cThe Lebanese people\u2026are telling us they\u2019ve had enough\u201d, declared the Humanitarian Coordinator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meanwhile, President of the General Assembly Tijjani Muhammad-Bande upheld that the devastating impact of last week\u2019s explosion makes it \u201cimperative for the international community to stand beside the [Lebanese] people\u201d. Stressing that their needs are enormous and great\u201d, he evoked the need for a multilateral approach, building consensus, and for providing \u201cthe necessary help and support to prevent crises of this magnitude in the future\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe people of Lebanon have shown us the true spirit of their proud country\u201d, said Mr. Muhammad-Bande. \u201cIt is upon us to band together and ensure that they will not have to shoulder this burden alone\u201d. UN Resident Coordinator Najat Rochdi spoke passionately about the Lebanese people and the country for which she is also the Humanitarian Coordinator. \u201cI am addressing you today, with a heart full of sorrow, from a small country in the Middle East\u2026that has struggled a lot and yet still has the will, beyond all odds, to survive and strive\u201d, she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She recapped the events of 4 August when a warehouse at the Beirut Port exploded shattering the city and pushing the people \u201cfurther to the brink\u201d.\u00a0 More than 200 had now reportedly died, and around 6,000 or so have sustained injuries caused by the blast. Ms. Rochdi painted a picture of \u201capocalyptic images of destruction, fear and sorrow\u201d and damage so extensive that it has affected the city at its economic heart, destroying swathes of commercial and residential neighborhoods.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n In this \u201cchallenging context\u201d, she commended the work of the UN and non-governmental organizations which have been involved in the response from the very first moment, \u201cdemonstrating a remarkable sense of service and dedication to save lives\u201d. Ms. Rochdi elaborated on the response to date and reaffirmed that the UN and its partners \u201care here to stay and deliver\u201d in the country. \u201cWe owe it to the people of Lebanon\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\nListen to the people<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Profound loss<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThree phases of response<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Standing shoulder-to-shoulder<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![](\"https:\/\/global.unitednations.entermediadb.net\/assets\/mediadb\/services\/module\/asset\/downloads\/preset\/Libraries\/Production+Library\/08-08-2020_BeirutBlast_GlasslessWindow.jpg\/image1170x530cropped.jpg\")
\u00a9 UNOCHAYoung man stares out from his apartment after a blast at Beirut Port ripped through the city, Lebanon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u2018Heart full of sorrow\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Food delivery<\/h3>\n\n\n\n