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Sidon Municipality Raises State of Readiness: Coordination Meetings with the Health Sector and Heavy Equipment Companies to Strengthen Emergency Preparedness

Sidon Municipality – Media Office

As part of the emergency plan established by Sidon Municipality in response to the ongoing Israeli aggression, the Mayor of Sidon, Engineer Mustafa Hijazi, and Deputy Mayor Dr. Ahmad Akra, together with several members of the Municipal Council, the Head of the Disaster and Crisis Risk Management Committee, and members of the committee’s working team, held two extensive coordination meetings at the municipality headquarters aimed at strengthening the city’s health and logistical preparedness.The first meeting was dedicated to discussing the healthcare situation and enhancing coordination between public and private sector stakeholders. Attendees included a representative of the Ministry of Public Health, as well as representatives from Hamoud University Hospital, Turkish Specialized Hospital, Saida Governmental Hospital, Dallaa Hospital, Kassab Hospital, Al-Hamshari Hospital, Al-Nidaa Al-Insani Hospital, and the Lebanese Red Cross.The Ministry representative outlined the package of services and support being provided by the Ministry under the current exceptional circumstances, emphasizing the continuity of governmental support for medical facilities. Hospital directors and representatives presented detailed assessments of their current capacities, the readiness of emergency departments and operating rooms, and the availability of sufficient medical supplies to respond to any sudden influx of casualties or patients.Discussions also focused on coordinating emergency and hospitalization cases to ensure the most efficient use of available medical resources and avoid unnecessary duplication or waste. Participants further reviewed contingency plans for overcrowding scenarios in the event of an attack resulting in a large number of casualties.The second meeting focused on logistical preparedness and heavy equipment readiness. It brought together owners and representatives of construction companies, heavy equipment operators, and waste management companies to discuss mechanisms for providing immediate logistical support during relief emergencies.The discussions centered on identifying and preparing heavy machinery—including bulldozers, cranes, and trucks—that could be deployed at the disposal of the Operations Room in the event of an emergency. Representatives from Azzam Construction Company, NTCC Cleaning Services, and Renault Cranes Foundation participated in the meeting and expressed their full readiness to mobilize their resources and equipment in support of relief operations, road clearance efforts, and rescue missions whenever required.At the conclusion of the meetings, Mayor Hijazi emphasized that “the solidarity of the healthcare and logistics sectors constitutes the first line of defense for the safety and security of our citizens.” He further stressed that coordination efforts would remain active around the clock to update information and ensure rapid response capabilities.He concluded by stating that Sidon is once again demonstrating that all sectors of the city—from doctors and engineers to contractors and service providers—stand united in protecting the city, its residents, and those seeking refuge within it.