Over the last 6 months, Lebanon underwent through three major crisis: political, unprecedented economic crisis and the COVID19 pandemic. Despite these crises, SAFE, within the framework of the EU CoE P73 Project, kept implementing activities and, ever since the COVID19 emergency, we are providing additional and specific support to the Grand Sérail in dealing with the crisis.

Since the beginning of the emergency, Emmanuel Bouquot, SAFE Senior Associate and P73 KE3 is fully involved within the Lebanese National Task Force on Covid19, providing strategic advice to the National COVID-19 Committee. Also, through the deployment of highly specialised experts, the project is supporting the establishment of protocols to ensure biological preparedness of key infrastructures as well as Training of Trainers and first responders to identify and take in charge suspect cases and on the correct use of protection material.

Two additional actions are being implemented ensuring larger support to the Lebanese population:

  • Assessment of health facilities to maximize national cases management capacities;
  • Support for fragile neighbourhoods through WASH activities.

In addition, several materials were purchased both for training purpose and to ensure the protection of the Grand Sérail personnel. To date, the project delivered:

  • 1 Air Sampler for bio-contamination quality control; 3 Bio disinfectant machines for microbial destruction;
  • Plexiglas walls (6 to 8mm thick) for the main entrance and secondary entrances; 180 Face Shields to ensure protection from different hazards; 37 litres of hand sanitizer; 5000 surgical masks; 10 Infrared thermometers; 4000 nitrile gloves; 5000 COVID-19 Test Kits donated by RIVM to public and private hospitals in Lebanon for free testing.

Lastly, as of today, the number of confirmed cases in Lebanon is 710, with 24 deaths, and a daily increase of only 3 to 4 cases. This is a great result, considering that Lebanon maximum capacity of patients in ICU is of 128. Lebanon stands out as a model, also when compared to other countries, such as Norway, which counts over 7500 confirmed cases and 203 deaths.

We are very proud of having contributed to reducing and limiting what could have been a much larger disaster. We will continue to provide support until it is needed.

Meanwhile, Stay SAFE and Stay HOME!