The United Nations says it was desperately trying to get food, aid and medical equipment to Beirut following the devastating explosion that ripped apart the Lebanese capital's port.

The UN's World Food Programme warned that as economically ravaged Lebanon imports 85 percent of its food, the flow could be severely damaged.

Agency's spokeswoman Elisabeth Byrs said WFP is concerned that the explosion and the damage to the port will exacerbate an already grim food security situation in that country.