Beirut blast hammers grain import capacity but supplies still flow, WFP says

Humanitarian aid donated by World Food Program (WFP), are unloaded at Beirut's port, in Beirut, Lebanon September 3, 2020. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Beirut port's capacity to handle wheat and other bulk cereal imports has collapsed to about a fifth or less of its level before a massive blast smashed its grain silos and other facilities, a senior U.N. official said on Thursday.

But Abdallah Alwardat, the country director for the World Food Programme (WFP), told Reuters that he did not see Lebanon heading towards a food crisis, although he said his organisation was keeping a close eye and was ready to step in if necessary.