Ukraine sends humanitarian aid to blast-hit Beirut

Ukraine has sent humanitarian aid to Lebanon's capital Beirut, the city gravely affected by a massive ammonium nitrate explosion at a seaport warehouse on August 4.

That's according to the foreign ministry's statement posted on Facebook August 19.

Read alsoLebanon government resigns in wake of Beirut blast"On World Humanitarian Day, Deputy Minister Dmytro Senik took part in the ceremony of sending Ukrainian medications and food to Beirut, which suffered from the explosion of August 4," the statement said.

The cargo, accompanied by the State Emergency Service staff, will soon be delivered to the Lebanese capital.

The State Emergency Service says the total weight of the batch is 4.75 tonnes. The cargo consists of 23 types of medical products (antihemorrhagic and antithrombotic drugs, those for general anesthesia, as well as bandages, surgical plaster, etc.). There was also 800 kg of flour in the haul.

Beirut blast: background

A powerful explosion of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate at a seaport warehouse in Beirut on August 4 brought massive devastation to the city.

The batch of highly explosive material had been stored for six years with no proper safety measure put in place.

Read alsoOne Ukrainian citizen killed in massive Beirut explosion – Ukraine's embassyThe explosion destroyed the port and caused major damage to a significant part of the city. Lebanese authorities have declared the capital a disaster area.

The death toll has reached 220, while nearly 6,000 people were injured.

Another 110 people are still reported missing.

The Ukrainian government has allocated UAH 8.4 million for humanitarian aid to the affected population of Beirut.