The United States has pledged over $17 million in initial disaster aid for Lebanon, following Tuesday’s Beirut port explosion, the U.S. embassy said on Friday.

It said in a statement that the aid included food assistance, medical supplies and financial assistance for the Lebanese Red Cross. “Announcements of additional aid and assistance are forthcoming,” it added.

(Reporting by Ghaida Ghantous; Editing by Kevin Liffey)