United Nations in Lebanon

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Lebanon:

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17 March 2023

In Lebanon, UN deputy chief explores first-hand, challenges facing children and persons with special needs

During a visit to a center for street children in Beirut, Lebanon, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said: “Children should be allowed to be children. They should enjoy their rights to education, to health, to safe environment and to not feeling the pressures of an adult at a child’s age.” She added: “We want to make sure that street children are an issue of the past. That’s what we will be working for day-in and day-out.” Recognizing the unprecedented economic hardship that people in Lebanon are facing and renewing the UN’s commitment to supporting Lebanon to respond to increasing needs, are two main issues addressed by Ms. Mohammed while on a two-day official visit to Lebanon for the opening of the Arab Forum for Sustainable Development, organized by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UNESCWA). On the margins of the forum, Ms. Mohammed made two visits, one to a center for street children and the other to a community kitchen run by women with disabilities, to explore, first-hand, challenges faced by two of the most vulnerable groups in Lebanon as a result of multi-layered crises that have left an estimated 80 per cent of the population residing in the country struggling with multidimensional poverty, which considers dimensions other than income, such as access to health, education and public utilities. Advocate for children’s rights While at the UNICEF-supported Drop-in Center for Street Children in Beirut, the Deputy Secretary-General on Monday engaged with the children through an art activity where they expressed in drawings their aspiration for a brighter future. “I met today children that come here to learn. They are children and they have dreams. Watching them paint and write what their day should be is quite incredible. But they’re also very giving children seeing through their drawings and writings the help they want to offer their families and communities,” said Ms. Mohammed. A ray of hope The Drop-in Center provides psychosocial, medical, educational and social protection support for street-connected children who enjoy easy and safe access to recreational and play activities. It is being operated with support from UNICEF and partners Terres des Hommes Lausanne and Mouvement Social. But like everything else in the country, the Beirut center cannot sustain operations without support. Ms. Tamam Mroue, Executive Director of Mouvement Social, said they are doing their best to provide all services required to respond to children’s needs amidst the difficult circumstances the country is going through, “but, alone, we cannot cater to the growing needs. Work has to be done at the national governmental and policy levels to avert a catastrophe.” Children protected and cared for “Lebanon’s crisis is affecting every aspect of children’s lives. Investing in children’s protection, development and wellbeing is essential to ensure their rights are met under any circumstance. Lebanon cannot afford children to be nutritionally deprived, out of school, in poor health and at risk of abuse, violence and exploitation. Children are an investment, the ultimate investment, in a nation’s future,” said UNICEF Deputy Representative Ettie Higgins. Connecting with other young people and playing in a safe environment are pivotal to children’s development and wellbeing. Around 1.8 million children are living in households that are more likely to resort to negative coping measures such as child labour and child marriage. “We come here to play, to meet friends and to learn new things,” said Rasha, 15 and Hasan, 11. Against all odds On Tuesday at Access Kitchen, a UN-Women supported community kitchen set up by the Lebanese Union for People with Physical Disabilities (LUPD), the Deputy Secretary-General engaged with the women and joined them in preparing a meal. “In the middle of the misery and complexities of this country, this place is like an oasis, a little piece of paradise,” Ms. Mohammed said. “This is a very hopeful place, and we need to do more of these. Women who work here realize their value and learn to become more confident, ambitious, and hopeful.” Silver Lining Women at Access Kitchen feel empowered and worthy. Nour Jammoul, 32, who suffers from paralysis, regained her self-confidence after working here. “Ever since I began working here, my life has changed. I restored hope and became financially independent, productive and responsible for myself. I like this place a lot and I am so happy to be here.” It is estimated that 10 to 15 per cent of the Lebanese population have disabilities – either physical, sensory, cognitive, or mental. In 2018, 61.4 per cent of households in Lebanon were estimated to have at least one member with a disability. Yet, discrimination against persons with disabilities remains deeply entrenched and widespread. Women and girls with disability face stereotyping, stigma and discrimination daily, while Government protections are limited. Access Kitchen is part of an effort to create employment opportunities for women with disabilities, the first of its kind in Lebanon. As of mid-January, the women of Access Kitchen have produced over 16,950 meals benefiting 1,822 individuals in the community. Access Kitchen has been supported by UN Women, initially under a joint programme with UNICEF. “Behind the courage of those women lies stories of suffering and abandoned responsibilities by the Government. They wouldn’t have been in this position had society cared; the Government lived up to its responsibility and the international community managed to solve the problem of places like Syria so that refugees can go home,” Mohammed said. For Rachel Dore-Weeks, UN Women Representative in Lebanon, women and girls there, including those with disabilities, face multiple discriminations. “This initiative is a way of reminding women with disabilities of their self-worth, bringing them back into the economy and proving to the external world that women with disabilities are a critical part of the community in Lebanon and can contribute to the economy.”

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28 September 2022

UN Lebanon Greening Restaurants: A Business with an Impact

"Generating profit might be easy, but it's hard to reach a point where you're proud of your work," says Aline Kamakian, 53, owner of Mayrig Restaurant in Beirut, Lebanon. Over the past nine years, Aline has been working on reducing the environmental footprint of her business, and today she is transforming Mayrig into a zero-waste project with passion, perseverance, and hard work. Instead of throwing away leftovers, plastics, and glass bottles together in landfills, Aline transforms food waste into compost that nourishes plants and plastics and glass into new useful items despite the challenges. From a Father's Dream to a Mother's Recipe Aline launched Mayrig in 2003 to fulfill her father's dream of having a restaurant that serves authentic Armenian food. She has been working with Armenian mothers on creating recipes and platters and ended up calling the restaurant "Mayrig," which means mother in Armenian. "The restaurant's name salutes mothers for their efforts to preserve Armenian culture and traditions, and the business aims to support Armenian mothers by offering them job opportunities and ways to generate profit," Aline explains. With wit and kindness, Aline convinced her employees about the importance of working towards greening her restaurant: "When we first started sorting, my employees thought that the extra tasks were inefficient and exhausting. But, with time, they started realizing the importance of sorting for Lebanon's environment. So today, they're keen on sorting and treating waste like we do." Aline handled this process alone for nine years until the financial crisis hit Lebanon in 2019. With the devaluation of the Lebanese currency, business owners started moving towards reducing costs. As a result, the cost of sorting, composting, and recycling became an extra burden for Aline's business, and greening Mayrig was thus compromised for the sake of other priorities. "The high expense of transporting the food waste into the composting facilities threatened the sustenance of the initiative," Aline explains. UN Lebanon Supports Green Restaurants & Circular Economy Before giving up on her dream, Aline's last option was to resort to funding opportunities. Fortunately, UN Lebanon, through the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Regional Office for West Asia based in Beirut, was looking for restaurants in Mar Mikhael – Gemmayze area to partner with on targeting the waste problem in Lebanon. Under this project, which is part of the SwitchMed II Programme funded by the European Union and implemented in collaboration with local civil society organization NUSANED between July 2022 and June 2023, the UN is supporting Mayrig by collecting their food waste. "I no longer have to worry about managing the composting of food waste because someone is taking care of that," Aline explains. Under the same project, UNEP regional office is also partnering with seven other restaurants in the same area by providing, through NUSANED, advisory services, and technical support around plastic waste management, food waste management, greening restaurants, and ways for allowing circular businesses to flourish. In addition to restaurants, the UN is also working with households to raise their awareness on the importance of plastic prevention, reuse and recycle and incentivize them to contribute to circular economy. “For each kilogram of plastics that households put in our bins, they receive points that eventually become shopping vouchers at local businesses in the area, and this is one of the incentive mechanisms we will be using for the purpose of encouraging waste prevention under this project. This way, we are supporting families by increasing their purchasing power and local businesses by promoting their sales”, says Rasha Sukkarieh, the programme manager at NUSANED. She adds: “By doing this, we are creating a circular and more sustainable economy in the area.” Today, Mayrig alone produces around 20Kgs of food waste and 4 to 7 Kg of plastic per day. In a country struggling with waste management, Aline hopes this initiative would reduce the negative impact of restaurants on the environment. "Multiply these numbers by 3000, which is the estimated number of restaurants in Lebanon. Imagine what all this plastic and waste are doing to our environment and health when dumped in the sea and on land?" Aline says. Greening Restaurants is Colorful In addition to reducing Mayrig's environmental footprint, Aline also relies on recycling to decorate her restaurant. She is turning wine bottles into colorful decorative chandeliers hung on the ceiling that cannot be missed when you enter the place. She also decorates her terrace with a green wall made from recycled plastic. For Aline, protecting the environment is vital for sustaining her business: "When you protect the environment, encourage tourism, attract new businesses, and sustain your business, it's a cycle!" Aline says.

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18 July 2022

UN Lebanon Supports Women-Led Cooperatives: Sustaining Productivity Amid Consecutive Crises

"I enjoy teaching other women food processing techniques and helping my neighbors find income generating opportunities. A lot of women across Lebanon are doing the same thing," says Samira Zoughaib Akiki, 58, the chair of Al Atayeb cooperative located in Kfardebian town, north of Beirut, Lebanon. In 2004, Samira and some other women established Al Atayeb (The Delicacies) cooperative to support their local community. Samira’s Early Days in Food Processing Samira began her career as a French language teacher at a local school in Kfardebian before she decided to follow her passion for cooking. One year later, in 2003, Samira resigned from teaching to enroll in a training for sewing and embroidery that Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) non-governmental organization (NGO) was organizing. As she interacted with more women, Samira realized that women villagers have very good food processing skills and that they are willing to share their knowledge. She worked with YMCA on introducing food processing workshops and eventually became a trainer in food processing. “Teaching other women food processing skills was my way of women empowerment. It also empowered me given that I was surrounded by generous women with a vision,” Samira says with a nostalgic tone. The Cooperative Model Although Samira enjoyed her work as a trainer, she was not fully satisfied; she wanted to do something more impactful for her community. "Knowing that locals obtain valuable agricultural and food processing skills and expertise, my colleagues and I decided to form a cooperative specialized in food processing. We believed that it would be the best business model because it helps create job opportunities for locals and divides profits equally among shareholders," Samira says. Al Atayeb is a women-led cooperative specialized in producing Lebanese local and traditional food, such as citrus marmalade, fruit jam, fruit paste, and the famous Lebanese Makdous (Pickled eggplants in oil), and it follows the FDA criteria of food safety. Today, the cooperative involves 13 women from various age groups who work in food processing. These women are also shareholders so they receive a share of the cooperative's profits, in addition to the salary they earn from working in food preparation and processing. “A cooperative serves the maximum benefit of the largest number of people possible, and it is a participatory form of group work that is rich with perspectives and ideas," she says. The cooperative also supports farmers through buying their local crops and provides job opportunities to local workers who can perform necessary logistic and technical tasks that food processing requires. UN Lebanon Supports Cooperatives Similar to many cooperatives across Lebanon, Al Atayeb faced challenges that threatened its sustainability during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic, when Lebanon was also reeling under the economic crisis. Not knowing how to counter the challenges, Samira and her partners learned that UN Lebanon was providing support to cooperatives across Lebanon and reached out for support. UN Lebanon, with funds from the German Development Bank KfW, and through the UN Development Programme, mobilized 4.4 million USD to reduce the downturn impact of COVID-19 on cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs), and farmers. Under this project, UN Lebanon supported 94 cooperatives from different villages in Lebanon such as Deir Al Ahmar, Fneidek, Qana, Harissa, and Lehfed, with a focus on women, by providing cash for work and in-kind support such as raw materials, equipment, and tools. At least 6,000 individuals in Lebanon benefitted from this project, which helped them cope with the consecutive crises: the COVID-19 pandemic, the financial crisis, and the notorious August 4 Beirut Port Explosion. For Al Atayeb, "the UN provided monthly salaries for women to sustain their income, in addition to oil and sugar we use to produce our food, as well as the jars necessary for preserving produce," Samira says. "The type of assistance that the UN provided was very efficient because it addressed our financial needs; thus, replenishing our capital and compensating our losses. We were able to resume our activities at a time when many businesses were shutting down.” By creating direct and indirect job opportunities, Al Atayeb cooperative has been a key factor in helping many families in Kfardebian survive the crises, making women proud of themselves and their community. "Our cooperative represents the values we believe in. We work with passion. We help our community and serve the public good," Samira says with a pride in her voice.

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11 August 2022

UN Lebanon Celebrates Youth: Say No to Hate

Dima El-Awar, 21, stands in front of the camera with confidence and ease. In addition to being a good speaker, a skill that every journalist would yearn to master, Dima is keen on promoting positive speech and accurate information. Coming from Falougha, a small yet breathtaking village in Mount Lebanon, Dima was hesitant to pursue her dream career in journalism because she thought she was not good enough for this job. “As a young girl, I always received hateful comments about my personality and clothing style. Some people told me I was too loud; others said that I did not match the beauty standards of TVs and public figures because I did not dress up like girls. Although I used to feel bitter for receiving such comments in the past, today I smile and respond with positivity in an attempt to change other people’s attitudes,” Dima says. Before reconciling with these negative comments, Dima studied Chinese translation instead of journalism. With time, she recognized that she should not have given up on the dream of her life because of other people’s opinions, so she transferred to studying journalism. “I didn’t want to regret not pursuing my passion when I’m old, so I decided to get over other people’s opinions and to listen to my inner voice,” Dima says with a smile. UN Lebanon Helps Youth in Lebanon Counter Hate In a training that UN Lebanon, through the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), organized to help youth combat hate speech and misinformation under the “Youth Countering Hate Speech and Misinformation” project, Dima listened to other people’s experiences with hate speech and realized that everyone is susceptible to hate. Dima learned about the various forms of hate speech, its impact on people, and ways for combating it so she eventually became more resilient and skillful in dealing with it. “When I understood that hate speech expresses the other person’s problems not mine, I started accepting myself. I also started accepting others for who they are and seeing the beauty in everyone,” Dima says. The training helped Dima realize that she had taken the right decision by transferring to journalism because “journalism plays a positive role in the community as it can counter hate speech and misinformation through positive speech and accuracy,” Dima says. It also helped raise her awareness on the importance of combating hate speech and putting an end to “bullying, destructive criticism, and marginalization of anyone based on their identity.” With funds from the Government of the Netherlands within its support to UNESCO's flagship initiative Li Beirut, and in collaboration with May Chidiac Foundation- Media Institute, UN Lebanon trained 15 youth from different regions and universities in Lebanon on media and information literacy, access to information, combatting hate speech, and countering misinformation. Under this project, the young participants produced 12 social media episodes about hate speech and misinformation after they were trained on the technical strategies for producing social media segments. Youth: Positive Actors at Heart Dima has always been keen on positively impacting her community and this has been manifested in her volunteering with the Lebanese Red Cross in Falougha as a paramedic and emergency medical services volunteer for the past 7 years. “Volunteering allows me to be close to people. Through volunteering, I can show solidarity to people of all ages, gender, and socioeconomic classes,” Dima says with pride. As a believer in the importance of giving back to the community, Dima is eager to counter hate speech from her role as a young person and a future journalist. “Young people can play a major role in countering hate speech because they are the future generation. They also have the power to change perspectives, are resilient, and accept diversity,” she says. After she overcame the influence of hate speech, Dima is today more confident to stand in front of the camera and to highlight the beauty of Lebanon.

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02 December 2022

UN and University Students in Lebanon Team Up in a Vigorous Debate on SDGs, triggering Young Voices of Change

“The Way We Shop: Is it Sustainable?” A probing question that spurred a flurry of arguments and opposing views from around 100 young students on Thursday 24 November. The debate took place at the heart of the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) in a green environment made up of recycled materials and environmentally friendly furniture. Two groups of young students, composed of 10 young men and women each, played the role of opponents and proponents of sustainable lifestyles and shopping habits that help curb climate change. “Each one of us has a responsibility vis-à-vis our mother nature and can take simple actions that help save our planet,” said a third-year USEK student who volunteers in the university’s Green Committee that was established to advance USEK’s environmental management and engage students in sustainable initiatives. “Personally, I’m leading an upcycling initiative of chips and chocolate wrappers that can’t be recycled, and turning them into aprons, pouches, and bags that I eventually sell to help people in need with whatever income I get,” she explained. Other similar initiatives were enthusiastically shared by other young students as part of preserving Lebanon’s environment and supporting sustainability efforts. “It’s time to become more conscious about our habits in food and fashion, and to stop being intellectually lazy!” asserted another proponent student favoring sustainable lifestyles over unsustainable harmful consumption habits. The session started with an interactive informative presentation delivered by UNIC Beirut on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and a dialogue with the youth on their perceptions of the SDGs and the resulting actions they were taking to implement the Global Goals in Lebanon, such as reducing the use of plastics, shopping consciously, carpooling and others. The learning session featured a video on the UN, an animated video on the SDGs, and a PR stunt on recycling produced under the UN Communication Group #TakeAStep media campaign on the SDGs. The students’ debate was followed by an engaging discussion and presentation by experts from the UN Environment Program Regional Office for West Asia focusing on climate action, resource efficiency, and sustainable consumption and production. The presentation was followed by a Q&A session that helped expand students’ knowledge of the global goals and explore effective ways to reduce plastic, food, and fashion waste, including through reducing, reusing, repairing, and recycling, as well as taking action on impactful environmental issues. The session ended with pop quizzes administered by both UNIC and UNEP representatives to test the level of acquired knowledge among the attending students. UN-branded promotional items were awarded to those who provided correct answers. “We really enjoyed it! It was fun and informative at the same time”, said a few young attendees, expressing their appreciation and interest to have more interactive specialized sessions on the SDGs and to collaborate on advocacy projects with the UN in the future.

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22 September 2023

The United Nations is supporting a journey to reconciliation, healing, and peacebuilding in Lebanon

Lebanon has witnessed since the civil war (1975-1990) a series of conflicts that fueled tensions. This violent past has gone undealt with. To address the wounds of violence in Lebanon, a UN-supported program entitled "Dealing with the Past: Memory for the Future" works on fostering cross-community dialogue and peace and seeks to promote and support reconciliation, re-establishing dignity for victims of war as well as restoring peace and preventing conflicts. This initiative, a collaborative effort between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) is supporting civil society, individuals, and institutions in their efforts to seek the truth, foster collective remembrance and, ultimately, move towards reconciliation around the legacy of the Lebanese Civil War.

The driving force behind this program is the belief that healing can only begin when the community acknowledges its past, embraces its history, and collectively strives for reconciliation. By focusing on retellings of Lebanon’s history from different perspectives and dialogue among communities, UN Lebanon through UNDP and UN Women is helping pave the way for a lasting peace. A Leap in History Teaching In the context of this program supported by the Swiss Embassy to Lebanon and Syria and the UN peacebuilding fund, UNDP partnered with the Lebanese Association for History (LAH) among other partnerships and collaborations. This partnership has yielded several significant outcomes. It has supported CERD by incorporating strategies and methodologies that contribute to Dealing with the Past. It has played a crucial role in enhancing teachers' capacities to foster historical thinking and employ historical methodologies that promote multi-perspectivity, gender sensitivity, and the handling of multiple narratives with a focus on conflict-sensitive communication. It has reinforced the sense of community among history educators from diverse backgrounds across the country, facilitating dialogue among them. It has also led to the establishment of a team of trainers, addressing a significant shortage of history teaching trainers, with 34 individuals undergoing intensive training. Lastly, it has supported in creation of digital resources and has been instrumental in shifting towards a multi-narrative approach based on source analysis, moving away from a simplified single-narrative approach. For the LAH president Dr. Amine Elias, “We have prepared an infrastructure for history teaching. We made a leap from traditional history teaching where a teacher explains, and students memorize to creating an engaging class where participants analyze and debate facts to produce their own historical narratives that are inclusive and take into consideration all views.” “We have empowered trainers to train teachers in private or public sectors across Lebanon on new techniques and ways of teaching history to transmit the idea that history connects the past with the present,” Elias continues. He emphasizes the importance of having a new history curriculum for schools in Lebanon; one that is flexible and comprehensive and takes into account the diversity of the Lebanese society. One teacher, Jihane Francis, participated in the Training of Trainers program facilitated by LAH. Jihane, a teacher and coordinator at Brummana High School, has embraced the program’s educational approach and used the skills she acquired, “I introduced these approaches with my students, I focused on building dialogue and critical thinking. When we succeed in training students to listen to each other and acknowledge the existence of multiple perspectives and to respect each other's opinions, we would be promoting a culture of non-violent communication among them.” For her, the new approaches are contributing to profound transformations in students' perspectives on the past, “Students from different backgrounds are openly engaging in conversations about the past. One student told me: I would never consider carrying a weapon!”, Jihane says. Jihane describes this journey as building a bridge between the past and the future for this young generation who did not experience the war. The trainings which Jihane attended has empowered her on a personal level. “The trainings sharpened my ability to express myself and accept people from different backgrounds,” she says. WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW.

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14 September 2023

UN Lebanon Supporting Firefighters’ Mission in Saving Lives

“When we receive a rescue call, all we ask about is the fire site, neither caller identity nor nationality matters to us,” says Oussama Al Abouchi, sergeant at Al-Fayhaa Fire Brigade. Al-Fayhaa Fire Brigade located in the northern town of Tripoli, is a place that sergeants Oussama Al Abouchi and Hassan Zoabi call home. A home in which they endured living conditions that seemed a world away from the comfort they deserve. “This place was uninhabitable. We had no electricity, no hot water, no basic commodities,” Hassan says. They carried out their missions despite the hardships. “We used to finish our missions and go shower at home,” says Oussama. “There was a lack of and shortage in equipment, machines, staff, and trainings,” says Dima Homsi, Director of Urban Community Al-Fayhaa. The lives of firefighters saw a dramatic change after the newly rehabilitated and equipped building that is the result of a joint initiative ‘The Municipal Empowerment and Resilience Project’ by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). It is being implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities (MoIM) and funded by the European Union (EU). Walking through the recently revitalized building, “It’s like we moved from a primitive life to a civilized life,” Hassan says. “The rehabilitation started from scratch and covered all aspects such as electricity and sanitary. They even provided furniture and beds and they will be providing a sports hall,” Oussama says. The transformation, however, doesn't end with walls and ceilings. New equipment was provided such as firefighting trucks, escape ladders, portable road safety barriers, fire extinguishers, protective jackets, trousers, hoods, and boots, in addition to a long list of firefighting and sports equipment. "Now, we can respond faster, cover more ground, and make decisions that can save lives,” Oussama says. The rehabilitation hasn’t included physical enhancements only to the fire brigade but it extended to include hands-on trainings as well. Training sessions on firefighting techniques and life-saving procedures have become a cornerstone of the brigade's routine. Al Fayhaa Fire Brigade Firefighters have received specialized training in first aid from the Lebanese Red Cross and advanced firefighting techniques from the civil defense. They were also trained on mapping and inspection of buildings in four selected pilot areas to enhance at later stages public safety in the four cities members of the union. “Trainings we received largely benefitted us on the field. We are now better equipped to handle challenging scenarios during fire incidents and rescue operations.” “We learned new techniques and methods; some approaches we used to think were right, proved to be wrong,” Hassan and Oussama say respectively. Notably, over 450,000 residents across the four cities of the Urban Community of Al-Fayhaa, including Tripoli, Al-Mina, Al-Beddawi, and Qalamoun benefit from the rehabilitated and equipped fire brigade building. “Our mission is to save people's lives and properties; It remains unchanged, but our ability to fulfill it has evolved”, says Oussama. Within the current unfolding crisis, UN Lebanon with generous support from the European Union is supporting local authorities in maintaining basic services under this project. However, the crisis has majorly affected all segments of society including firefighters. “We are grateful for the UN’s support, but we lack financial support and health benefits. Sometimes we cannot afford the cost of the trip to the brigade,” Hassan says. CHECK OUT THE VIDEO STORY BELOW.

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29 August 2023

Access Kitchen – Women helping their communities & advocating for the rights of Persons with Disabilities

In a calm neighborhood nestled between the busy streets of Mar Mikhael in Beirut, a heartwarming haven known as ‘Access Kitchen’ flourished. It is Lebanon’s first community kitchen led and run by a group of women with disabilities. It provides income-generating jobs for 58 women and offers daily 138 hot meals to vulnerable people in nearby areas. When you enter the kitchen, the aroma of freshly baked dreams and the sizzle of determination create the perfect recipe not just for meals, but for the empowerment, inclusion, and boundless potential of the women working in the kitchen. Women of all ages, some with various disabilities, and some caring for family members with disabilities meet at this kitchen, each bringing their unique skills and stories to the table. This inclusive space is the result of a partnership between UN Women and the Lebanese Union for People with Physical Disabilities (LUPD), established by the Government of Austria as part of a joint project with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), “Emergency Livelihoods for Affected Marginalized Populations in the Beirut Explosion Area,”. The support was continued with the support of the Government of Japan and the Government of Australia. Paving the way Sylvana Lakkis’ journey towards becoming an advocate for the rights of persons, particularly women with disabilities started at a young age. “I realized at an early age that the hardship I was facing were not solitary battles but were related to unclaimed rights,” explains Sylvana. Sylvana has a disability resulted from Polio, she, herself has experienced first-hand discrimination because of having a disability. A notable moment for Sylvana was after graduating from college, only to find that employment opportunities were almost non-existent for persons with disabilities. “This is where I kicked off and began the activism journey,” she says. Sylvana became the President of the Lebanese Union for People with Physical Disabilities (LUPD). Motivated by her own journey, coupled with the plight people with disabilities face in Lebanon, the prevalent biases they confront and the Beirut blast resulting in disabilities, she made it her mission to foster inclusivity. This is how Access Kitchen was born. “Access kitchen, which includes women with different types of disabilities coming from various nationalities and different backgrounds, is an opportunity that paves the way towards inclusive employment and therefore an inclusive economy,” she says. Sylvana endeavors to connect with women living with disabilities in Lebanon on both a personal and professional level. She reaches out to them directly or engages with organizations and municipalities, particularly in the aftermath of the Beirut Blast. Driven by determination Luna Yammine is a spirited graphic designer. She has a mobility impairment and has faced various challenges, specifically at the community and family level around social and gender norms. “I was born in a society that marginalizes persons with disabilities and this created many challenges for me. In our society, women are already vulnerable let alone women with disabilities,” explains Luna. Luna continued to struggle with the perceptions placed on her, especially when it came to searching for a job. “My parents rejected the idea of me joining the workplace, they wondered who is going to hire a person like me,” says Luna. Recognizing her right to work and driven by her determination, Luna did not lose hope and kept searching for job opportunities, until she joined Access Kitchen as a graphic designer. With her keen eye for design, she lends her creative touch to the kitchen. She crafts vibrant posters and campaigns, spreading the word far and wide about this unique initiative that was bound to stir hearts and change lives. Luna is determined to prove that her disability is not a barrier to her talents, “I can work like everybody else and be an active community member,” Luna says. This experience is benefitting her on many levels, “this project has empowered me, boosted my self-confidence, and enhanced my financial stability,” Luna says. In a nearby corner of the same kitchen, there is Aya Ezzo – A woman with a visual impairment, who discovered Access Kitchen through an outreach Facebook post. It was Aya’s first-ever job, as a kitchen worker. She has embraced her tasks and become an integral part of this community. “Access Kitchen changed my life; I became more independent physically and financially. I can pay my university tuition fees and offer financial help to my family,” Aya says. The challenges Aya faced as a person with a disability were not limited to employment, she speaks about challenges at school, at university, and while moving around in the streets. Aya is proud of what she has learned through this impactful experience, especially through sessions on disability and gender-inclusive rights, and the labor laws in Lebanon. “I now know my entitlements as a woman with a disability. I am more confident, and I can express myself without feeling ashamed of my disability.” Be the change Operating since June 2022, Access Kitchen became a vibrant hub of camaraderie and shared aspirations built on the common challenges of women. Its members empower one another and break down barriers with each day passing. “Not only did I exchange cooking-related knowledge with other women working in the kitchen but also ways to stand against obstacles”, Aya says. “Sharing their individual experience on overcoming challenges and discovering solutions among these women became a valuable lesson for others, marking a significant step towards embracing inclusive employment. Access kitchen is one of the main ways to fight hunger and poverty and to contribute to Lebanon’s advancement,” Sylvana says. “To all women out there who continue to face the challenges of discrimination and marginalization, believe in the power within you. Seize your rights with unwavering determination. Your potential to contribute, thrive, and stand on your own is boundless. Every and each one of you can be productive, active and ,independent. Be the change,” Sylvana sends a message to all women.

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10 August 2023

UN-initiative 'Tour in Sour': introducing green means of transportation in Lebanon

Khadeja Salim and Hussein Kahwaji are now navigating the streets of the southern port city of Tyre, one of the oldest cities in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site in Lebanon, on two-wheeled rides. It all began with the launch of two public bike stations, strategically placed at prominent locations within the city of Tyre. “It is a brilliant initiative not only for Tyre residents but also for those visiting the city,” Hussein says, a Tyre resident. UN Lebanon is promoting the cycling culture among the different segments of Tyre community by establishing two public bike stations in the city through a bike-sharing initiative that is facilitated by UN-Habitat's City-to-City partnership between the Swiss city of Zurich and Tyre municipalities. It aims to nurture a shift towards diversifying transportation options in the city, one step at a time. These bike stations have become vibrant hubs that serve as meeting points for residents seeking a new way to navigate their city and accomplish daily errands. Hussein visits the station daily, and Khadeja, a couple of times a week; they select a bike, hop onto the seats and off they go, pedalling their way to run various errands, roam the city and shop.
“I use the bike for grocery shopping, buying bread, and going to the beach. The city is small; I tour its busy streets on the bike,” Hussein says. “I enjoy roaming the city and visiting Tyre Reserve and Al-Mina sites. I once used it to go to the ATM to withdraw my salary,” Khadeja says. Bikes in Tyre present an affordable and cost-effective alternative to private cars and motorcycles allowing individuals to save money on fuel, parking and public transportation costs, especially amidst soaring fuel prices in Lebanon. Hussein and Khadeja both experienced cost savings by using bikes from these stations. They were offered a convenient way to incorporate exercise into their routines promoting a healthy lifestyle; for Hussein, he exercises in an indirect way while pedaling to the shops. The bike-share initiative provides a flexible transportation option for trips in the city and offers individuals the freedom to easily access bikes when needed. “Whenever I want, I go to the bike station and rent a bike to run my errands and sometimes for recreational purposes. The affordable rental fee makes it even more convenient for us,” Khadeja says.
For Hussein, the trip that takes him an hour to drive in a car takes him minutes on a bike and he never worries about finding parking spots for the bikes, unlike cars. Through this initiative, accessibility within the community was also enhanced making it easier for people to reach various destinations including ones that are not reachable by cars such as the old souk, and alleyways next to Al-Mina and Corniche. “I navigate Al Hara’s narrow path, enjoying the scenery without bothering its inhabitants with vehicular noise pollution,” Hussein says. “People are encouraging each other to use bikes and more residents are embracing the cycling culture in Tyre,” says Hassan Srour, Mobility Coordinator and GIS officer at the municipality of Tyre. “Tyre is much nicer without car traffic. We hope everyone in Tyre embraces the cycling culture,” said Hussein and Khadeja.

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Press Release

21 September 2023

United Nations Special Coordinator Wronecka on the International Day of Peace

“By its very constitution, Lebanon stands forth as a beacon of inter-faith co-existence,” she said. “This is beyond just the absence of war. It is about peace rooted in a resilient, stable society that guarantees a life in dignity for all its citizens, respect for their rights and freedoms, a relationship of trust and hope in a shared future. To realise this vision for Lebanon, requires political will and resolute action.” More than four decades ago, the UN General Assembly established the International Day of Peace as an annual reminder of the ideals of peace. This year, the day is being observed world over under a theme calling to couple commitments with actions and respond to global risks with collective solutions. Noting recent incidents of violence and possession of illegal weapons in the country, the Special Coordinator hailed the efforts of the Lebanese Armed Forces and other state security agencies in maintaining security and stability but stressed that sustainable peace and stability needs more than just security measures. She emphasized the importance of abiding by the Lebanese Constitution, the Taef Accord and UN Security Council resolutions relevant to Lebanon, particularly resolution 1701 (2006). “Within the framework of resolution 1701, UNIFIL’s efforts in coordination with the parties, have enabled calm and stability along the Blue Line since 2006. However, implementing outstanding obligations under resolution 1701 by the parties will be critical for long-term peace and stability in the region,” the Special Coordinator said. The Special Coordinator added that the presidential vacuum, the political impasse and a protracted socio-economic and financial crisis were undermining the ability of state institutions to deliver, widening the gap of poverty and inequality, and imperilling the country’s stability. “The deepening political polarization and intransigence is threatening Lebanon’s social cohesion and the sense of belonging among its people. Political leaders must act in the national interest, seek real and practical solutions for a better future for their country,” she said. As world leaders convene in New York for the 78th UN General Assembly and to renew their commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Special Coordinator hoped for concerted action in Lebanon to implement urgently needed reforms and accelerate progress towards realizing the SDGs. In all these endeavours and with a commitment to Lebanon’s sovereignty, sustainable peace, stability, development and to leaving no one behind, the Special Coordinator reiterated the UN’s commitment to continue supporting Lebanon and the Lebanese people. ********

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Press Release

21 September 2023

On the International Day of Peace, UNIFIL stands ready to help

Hosted by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) at its headquarters, the ceremony brought together Lebanese political representatives, including Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab; local authorities; religious leaders; the Lebanese Armed Forces; security forces; UN officials, including Special Coordinator for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka; and members of the international community. “As our name says, we are peacekeepers – we keep the peace, but we do not bestow it,” UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Aroldo Lázaro told the gathered crowd. “We keep the peace that the parties have each given space for, have each worked to maintain in their own ways. But whenever it is threatened, UNIFIL is there, ready to help.” Major General Lázaro and Brigadier General Mounir Shehade, representing the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), laid wreaths at the cenotaph in memory of the over 300 UNIFIL peacekeepers who have lost their lives while serving in south Lebanon since 1978. The UNIFIL head emphasized the mission’s strong partnership with the Lebanese government and armed forces. “We are here at the invitation of the Lebanese government, who have been our hosts for over forty-five years,” he said. “We coordinate closely with the Lebanese Armed Forces, conducting patrols with them and on our own, to help the government someday exercise its authority over the entirety of this beautiful country.” He also stressed the importance of restraint and UNIFIL’s role in decreasing tensions. “The danger of miscalculation remains, a danger that could jeopardize the cessation of hostilities and lead us to conflict,” he said. “It is important for the parties to bear this in mind, and to use our liaison and coordination mechanisms to deconflict situations and decrease tensions. The full implementation of UN Resolution 1701 remains a shared responsibility and the commitment of the parties is necessary to advance towards a long-term solution.” During the ceremony, military staff officers were awarded with the UN Peacekeeping Medal in recognition of their participation in the mission’s work. As is customary, white doves were released at UNIFIL’s cenotaph to symbolize peace. UNIFIL also launched a Telegram channel today as another platform for people to receive information about peacekeepers’ work in real time. The International Day of Peace was established by the UN General Assembly in 1981. It is dedicated to ceasefire and non-violence and is an occasion during which all promote tolerance, justice, and human rights. Each year on this day, the United Nations invites all nations and people to honour a 24-hour cessation of hostilities and to commemorate the day through activities that promote peace. Link to photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAVv4Z Link to Press Release: https://bit.ly/451F680

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Press Release

21 September 2023

New digital platform to upskill Lebanon’s youth and link them to the job market: UNICEF and World Bank launch ‘Forastech’ with Forward MENA

UNICEF and the World Bank launched the ‘Forastech’ platform at the Grand Serail in Beirut. Developed under the PROSPECTS program and funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the platform aims to empower, educate, and uplift young people aged between 17 and 32 years from all socio-economic backgrounds in Lebanon. The platform is implemented by Forward MENA, an NGO launched by Beirut Digital District to address the talent gap between education outcomes and labor market needs and develop the digital skillset of youth. Prime Minister Najib Mikati said “today we celebrate the launch of “Forastech” in Lebanon, an important and necessary initiative to develop the capabilities and skills of young people. In these delicate circumstances that our country is undergoing, it is necessary to direct efforts and investments towards strengthening the skills and developing the capabilities of youth in Lebanon, because Lebanon's lasting wealth is its human capital, especially its youth capacities”. He pointed out that "this project is necessary because it contributes to enhancing job opportunities and improving the economy by developing and enhancing their skills, so that promising young people have greater opportunities to obtain and sustainable jobs." Under ‘Forastech’, partnerships have also been developed with the Ministries of Education and Higher Education, Social Affairs, Labor, Youth and Sports, as well as the Office of the Minister of State for Administrative Reform (OMSAR) to ensure the platform caters specifically to the needs of Lebanon's most vulnerable youth. Ambassador of the Netherlands to Lebanon Hans Peter van der Woude said “I am delighted that through the Dutch funded Prospects Partnership, the World Bank and UNICEF, together with the private tech sector, are delivering 21st century skills for 21st century jobs, for the 21st century youth.” Through ‘ForasTech’, users can review the market's most in-demand careers and current trends, compare their skills against selected careers to pinpoint a learning development pathway and receive a job-matching scorecard against the career they select. They can also receive recommendations for learning pathways, as well as support and guidance to identify, prepare and apply for jobs that are accessible through the platform itself. "Our rapid assessment for the year 2022 revealed that 58% of youth in Lebanon are not optimistic about finding a job in the future. In such a time of crisis, 'Forastech' represents a hope of transformation for our youth, a pathway to unlock their full potential, and a unique opportunity in their pursuit of meaningful careers” said Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF Representative in Lebanon. “Our goal is to align their skills with their aspirations and provide them with access to in-demand skills relevant to today's labor market and beyond. 'Forastech' promotes work-based learning opportunities and career guidance, helping them navigate the challenging terrain of employment." ‘Forastech’ aims to support 5,000 eligible youth in completing free training courses on the platform, out of which 1,000 are expected to complete free certificates, and 200 are expected to secure a work opportunity. Certificates signed by Microsoft, LinkedIn, and AWS among others will boost their skills and qualifications in specialized areas, most demanded by employers. “Forastech is more than just a tool. It represents a comprehensive learning journey that builds on unique partnerships with some of the finest local and global tech firms and training providers,” said Jean-Christophe Carret, World Bank Middle East Country Director. “Working closely with the government and stakeholders across various sectors, the World Bank remains strongly committed to support Lebanon's digital transformation and empower its youth to harness the benefits of the digital revolution.” The ‘Forastech’ platform will cater to a diverse range of young people, whether they seek to upskill in software development, data, artificial intelligence (AI), marketing design, financial administration, customer relationship management (CRM), or content and document processing. Mouhamad Rabah, President of Forward MENA, explained that ‘Forastech’ aligns with our mission to arm Lebanon's youth with the digital skillset required to seize the opportunities of today and tomorrow. Our partnership with UNICEF and the World Bank allows us to close the gap between education outcomes and the ever-evolving needs of the labor market through state-of-the-art online programs at discounted certifications”. To learn more about ‘Forastech’ and join us in reshaping the future of Lebanon's youth, please visit Forastech.org. ENDS Media contacts Amira Alameddine Communication Officer United Nations Children’s Fund Lebanon +961 3 922332 aalameddine@unicef.org Zeina El Khalil Senior External Affairs Officer The World Bank +961 1 963 438 zelkhalil@worldbank.org Wassim Daniel Marketing and Partnerships Director Forward MENA +961 3 901 590 wassim@forwardmena.org

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Press Release

13 September 2023

The United Nations and the Government of Japan inaugurate recently rehabilitated Markazouna Community Centre in Tripoli

Fully rehabilitated, the Markazouna Community Centre can now continue to deliver essential services for women and children, including extracurricular activities for children and youth, in a safe and inclusive space. Specific activities include awareness-raising on protection against sexual and gender-based violence, provision of self-defense and positive parenting classes, carpentry workshops and more. This initiative has been led under the joint project entitled “Multi-sectoral response to the humanitarian crisis in the North of Lebanon through the human security approach” aimed at increasing the security of host and refugee populations living in vulnerable areas of Tripoli. The project generously supported by the Government of Japan through the UNTFHS is implemented by UN-Habitat, UNICEF, UN Women along with implementing partners Al-Fayhaa Association who manage the community centre, the Lebanese Democratic Women’s Gathering and the René Moawad Foundation. “Japan has placed a strong focus on to the protection and empowerment of vulnerable people and the overall improvement of their livelihoods. Given the challenging circumstances that Lebanon is going through, the need for facilities that foster a supportive and safe environment for the communities in need is heavily increasing, hence the importance of this initiative that Japan chose to support through the UNTFHS,“ said H.E. Magoshi Masayuki, Ambassador of Japan to Lebanon. The prioritization of the rehabilitation and reactivation of the Markazouna Community Centre was reconfirmed through the findings of the neighbourhood profile carried out in Shalfeh neighbourhood, as part of this project. Rehabilitation works included the restoration and upgrading of the whole centre, the playground, providing the centre with renewable energy through solar panels, ensuring full accessibility, providing furniture and electrical equipment. “Markazouna is an oasis of ambition and confidence, weaving the fabric of development around people, not people around development, providing psychological, educational, and social support,“ said Ahmad Kamareddine, Mayor of Tripoli. Implemented between April and mid-September 2023, the project has reached more than 5,000 Lebanese and non-Lebanese beneficiaries through the community centre. “Communities are built on shared values, traditions, culture, and aspirations; and in times of challenge and adversity, it is the solidarity and unity within communities that provide the resilience needed to overcome obstacles,” said the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, Mr. Imran Riza in his opening remarks. “The ‘Markazouna Community Centre’ stands as a testament to our commitment to fostering this solidarity, offering a space where community members can come together to not only access essential services but also to foster a renewed sense of belonging and interconnectedness.” “Our partnership began in 2018 through the Abjad Centre, where we have been able to see how the human security approach promotes the necessary conditions in which humanity can flourish. I am happy to see the Markazouna Community Centre follow the blueprint of the Abjad Centre and serve as a space that supports integrated solutions on key priority areas such as housing, education, health, and social inclusion for communities and those most vulnerable,“ said Mehrnaz Mostafavi, Chief of the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security. The project directly contributes to improving the lives of the people in Shalfeh, with the Markazouna Community Centre as a vital and vibrant space for the community and is expected to continue to benefit the residents for many years to come. -ENDS- About the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) UN-Habitat works in over 90 countries supporting people in cities and human settlements for a better urban future. Working with governments and local partners, its high impact projects combine world-class expertise and local knowledge to deliver timely and targeted solutions. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development includes a dedicated Goal on cities, SDG 11 – to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. About the United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Working in Lebanon for over 70 years, UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF Lebanon and our work for children, visit www.unicef.org/lebanon/ or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube About the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. Placing women’s rights at the centre of all its efforts, UN Women leads and coordinates United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It provides strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States’ priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors. For media enquiries: Lubna Elmahdy UN-Habitat Lebanon T: +961 1 985 398 M: +961 76 615 373 E: lubna.elmahdy1@un.org Blanche Baz UNICEF Lebanon T : +961 3 331874 E: bbaz@unicef.org Maya Outayek UNICEF Lebanon T: +961 70 190634 E: moutayek@unief.org Roula Rached UN Women Lebanon M: 961 70 351 088 E: roula.rached@unwomen.org

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Press Release

11 September 2023

As clashes resume in South Lebanon Palestine refugee camp, the ongoing takeover of UNRWA schools threatens children’s right to education

BEIRUT, 8 September 2023 – The continuing clashes in the Ein El-Hilweh Palestine Refugee Camp, along with the ongoing takeover of eight UNRWA schools, are preventing the access of nearly 6,000 children who are about to begin their school year. Education institutions must be safe and neutral spaces, critical for children's learning, well-being, and growth. The use of armed groups of schools amounts to gross violations of both International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law endangering children's rights to a safe learning environment, and jeopardizing their future and the future of their community. I urge armed groups to stop the fighting in the camp and vacate these schools immediately. I also call for the facilitation of the work of UNRWA and other humanitarian organisations to provide much-needed protection and assistance to families in need in the camp. The protection of civilians, including children, and their access to school, safe from all forms of violence and exploitation, is a shared responsibility. All concerned actors must take action to protect civilians, facilitate unhindered humanitarian access, and prevent the use of civilian infrastructure for fighting purposes. -ENDs- For more information, please contact: UNRWA: Mr. Fadi Tayyar, Public Information Officer – UNRWA. Email: f.eltayyar@unrwa.org. Phone: +961-70010129 United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon: Ms. Severine Rey, Head of Office - OCHA. E-mail: rey@un.org

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