On Wednesday, US Ambassador to Lebanon Dorothy Shea accompanied Lebanon's Caretaker Minister of Public Health Firass Abiad on a visit to the Halba Governmental Hospital and a well in Bebnine, in the Akkar Governorate.
During her visit, Ambassador Shea announced a $1.3 million donation to the UNICEF flash appeal in response to the cholera outbreak in Lebanon.
The US Ambassador Reminded Minister Abiad, UNICEF Representative Edouard Beigbeder, and WHO, UNDP, and UNHCR representatives that they are "heroes," highlighting their exceptional efforts in response to the recent cholera outbreak in Lebanon.
"I wish to commend His Excellency Minister Abiad for his leadership in coordinating the cholera response efforts and addressing the ongoing impact of Lebanon's multiple crises on the nation's health care system. We thank you for your collaborative approach to stem this outbreak and saving lives," Shea stated.
In her speech, the Ambassador thanked the healthcare workers who have been actively involved in the cholera outbreak since its start.
The new funding will go into support of refugees, the communities that host them, and people in need. It will also improve access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene and support municipal water establishments and wastewater treatment plants.
Additionally, the support will aid healthcare providers' capacity to improve early detection and educate local communities on preventing and responding to a cholera outbreak.
"As we enter the New Year and confront both ongoing challenges and, no doubt, new challenges, the United States looks forward to continuing our coordination with the government of Lebanon […] and our health care providers –our heroes– and most importantly, the recipients of this humanitarian assistance," Ambassador Shea concluded.