Mission in Lebanon reinforces Brazil’s humanitarian role

Brazilian foreign policy has always reserved space for relations with the Middle East, with ups and downs throughout history. With Lebanon, Brazil has cultural, commercial, and historical ties, mainly because it is home to the largest Lebanese diaspora in the world. There are 12 million people of Middle-Eastern descent living in Brazil, 27 percent are of Lebanese origin, according to the most recent survey by the Middle East-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce. The number is three times the size of the entire Lebanese population.

Considering this relationship between the countries, a special humanitarian aid mission arrived in Beirut on Thursday — an effort spearheaded by the Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Health Ministries. The delegation brought roughly 6 tons of medicines and food supplies to help Lebanon cope in the aftermath of last week’s massive explosion at the port of Beirut — killing 170 and injuring thousands more. In addition, Brazil will be shipping 4,000 tons of rice to mitigate the consequences of lost grain stocks, destroyed in the explosion, according to the Brazilian government.

According to experts, humanitarian aid from Brazil to Lebanon represents an important point in Brazilian foreign policy, reinforcing the country’s role in humanitarian missions. “Brazilian action is of paramount importance, especially after Brazil’s absence from the international...