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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19 December 2022

Alissar Helps Curb Spread of Cholera with Support of UN in Lebanon

Since her graduation, Alissar, a 22-year-old nurse, has pulled up her sleeves to join other frontline healthcare workers in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic and now cholera, two viral outbreaks that have stretched the healthcare system in the country. Along with other nurses, doctors, and infectious disease specialists at the Diarrheal Treatment Center (DTC) in Tripoli Governmental Hospital, Alissar is today contributing to curbing the spread of cholera in North Lebanon as the second month of the cholera outbreak unfolds in the country. “I believe that health crises can be an opportunity for personal growth and knowledge enhancement for health workers, and I will always be proud to say that I have worked in the health sector during this phase,” Alissar says. Alissar has always been keen on developing her technical expertise in nursing to build a successful career, but she fell in love with this field as she delved deeper into it. “Initially, I chose the nursing field to fulfill my mother’s unattained dream; however, I started developing a personal interest in nursing throughout my practice and my discovery of the human body. I used to go to my internship with big enthusiasm as I looked forward to the new stuff I would learn every day,” she says. Starting off as a COVID-19 front liner Before graduating from university, Alissar’s biggest concern was not finding a job opportunity because she lacked work experience. However, graduating in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic offered her the opportunity to join frontline healthcare workers and support in curbing this outbreak. “I was a shy fresh graduate and I did not know how to deal with challenging situations the way I do today after I witnessed many deaths and shocking incidents. However, I am stronger today, less shy, and fearless,” Alissar says. Joining the Cholera Response Alissar is a specialized nurse in supporting intensive care units and cardiovascular departments, and she was selected with few other nurses to join the team curbing cholera spread in North Lebanon after she underwent a technical exam in her specialization. “I knew that the World Health Organization (WHO) in Lebanon, in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), were looking for nurses to join their team at the Tripoli Governmental Hospital to work on the cholera response, so I decided to apply and I did very well in the exam.” With the aim of providing a comprehensive overview of the cholera outbreak response and in order to improve the prevention preparedness and the management of cholera cases, UN Lebanon through World Health Organization (WHO) has been collaborating with the Ministry of Public health (MoPH) to jointly lead on the cholera outbreak response. Through this project, WHO and MoPH are deploying and training multidisciplinary teams at designated hospitals in North Lebanon, including Menniyeh Governmental Hospital, Tripoli Governmental Hospital, Bebnine Field Hospital, and Halba Governmental Hospital. UN Lebanon through WHO is also providing technical and financial support for the teams working on the response to make sure patients are accurately admitted, quality case management is provided, the treating team is confident in providing the right care, and the healthcare staff and patients’ caregivers are protected. As a member of the multidisciplinary team deployed at Tripoli Governmental Hospital, Alissar has been trained to provide quality and adequate clinical care for cholera infected patients at the Diarrheal Treatment Center (DTC), which is one of twelve DTCs in areas affected by the cholera outbreak. “Facing crises requires discipline and abidance by health guidance. I am happy to be receiving this important knowledge from WHO and MoPH because it reassures me that I know what I got to do to save people’s lives while keeping safe.” In addition to capacitating the health care team with the necessary knowledge, UN Lebanon is also offering the necessary equipment and tools needed at DTCs to ensure an efficient response to cholera. “The center is very well equipped, so I have everything I need to do my job in the best way possible,” Alissar says. Through passion and hard work, Alissar is playing a crucial role in helping people face a health crisis despite her young age. “Being a nurse taught me that I should do my best to help people while accepting the fact that they might die without a previous warning.”

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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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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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17 February 2023

Lebanon: From Suspect of Terrorism to Believer in Life - Moumen's Story

Moumen, 25-year-old young man, has now successfully reintegrated into society and has been able to reconcile with life after benefiting from rehabilitation programmes at the Roumieh prison while serving his sentence for terrorism-related offenses. "I still remember the first time I came out to freedom in 2018. After five years in detention, although I was happy to see my family around me, I realized that I would encounter a new set of challenges to regain my place in society… face uncertainty over my future, find a job with the financial burden weighing heavily on me, and live in my community carrying the stigma associated with my incarceration. Since they were afraid of me as the label of “terrorist” was difficult to remove, it took me a lot of time, effort, and strength not to give up and to build trust as it was difficult to be accepted as a new person with positive intentions and reconnect with friends and family,” Moumen told UNODC. "I was fortunate to benefit from rehabilitation programmes and to establish a strong bond with the professional team in prison which enabled me to break the cycle of violence and hatred, gain new technical skills, self-confidence, resilience, and most importantly, say "No" to temptations that might pull me back and make me lose everything I built away from violence.” Moumen added that “unfortunately, I felt being a hero joining the terrorist group, but now I have changed. I have faith… faith in life…”. Today, Moumen opened a new chapter in his life. He was able to build a family, have a decent job as a carpenter, and strengthen his relationship with his loved ones, playing a positive role in his community by addressing the risk of involvement in criminal activities. Moumen’s rehabilitation and reintegration came as part of the "Improved Prison Management and Rehabilitation and Reintegration of High-Risk Prisoners in Lebanon” project, which is implemented by the Lebanese Ministry of Justice in close collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities, with the technical assistance of UNODC, and funded by Canada and the European Union. The project focuses on providing Lebanon with technical assistance to strengthen reintegration and prevention of recidivism. In the Juvenile Wing of the Roumieh Prison, children and young adults with offences related to violent extremism account for an average of 10% (34 out of 350 per year) in detention since 2014. They all benefit from tailored rehabilitation programmes, with a particular focus on disengagement from violence and preparation to release aiming to prevent recidivism which is crucial to the reintegration process. Although the road to reintegration is long and filled with obstacles, the story of Moumen, with exceptional results, gives hope not only to young people to disengage from violence but also to frontline actors to pursue their efforts to support the reintegration process and for development partners to continue funding social justice on the other, and lastly for society to believe that reintegration is possible for children and young adults with offenses related to violent extremism and terrorism. This is the main message on 12 February to mark the International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism.

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06 February 2023

From where I stand: “From grieving the loss of a child to starting a new agri-food business”

Ramzieh Hammoud, 52, is a Lebanese farmer from Nemrine in Akkar, the Northmost governorate of Lebanon, 119 Km from Beirut. At 33, Ramzieh faced the tragedy of losing her 3-year-old son to a fatal fall. Devastated, she resorted to agriculture to cope with her grief in her own way and found hope in growing life in soil. Ramzieh has recently joined the business planning training provided for women working in the fruits, vegetables, and nuts value chains in the North of Lebanon, by the Lebanese League for Women in Business (LLWB), a non-profit association that aims to support women in business and women entrepreneurs. Supported by UN Women, this training is part of the UN Productive Sector Development Programme, generously funded by the Government of Canada and implemented by six United Nations entities.: FAO, UNIDO, UNDP, UNICEF, ILO, and UN Women. My son was playing with his friends on the rooftop of our house. They were running around and playing in a pile of sand when my son slipped and fell from the rooftop to his death. For months, I could not sleep or stop crying. I could not fathom it; how could my baby boy, who was just eating the cheese sandwich I made for him, not sleep beside me anymore? I was distraught and devastated. My husband was a great support. We grieved together and helped each other cope with the huge loss and the overwhelming feeling of guilt. Working in agriculture got me through grief. I have been working as a farmer for more than 30 years. Since I was a young girl, I would wake up at 6 AM during the summer and spend my time in the field, sowing, cultivating, and harvesting seasonal fruits and vegetables. We grew tomatoes, lettuce, cabbages, apples, pears, and strawberries, among others. While still mourning, I began planting seeds and watching new life grow in front of my eyes. Seeing fruits and vegetables come alive helped me survive the agony. Planting and harvesting strawberries are my favorites. I use them in everything: in milkshakes, cake, and even salads. Working the land wearing my rubber boots or soiled clothes, I would hear my neighbors' snarky remarks. They would say: “are you done being a man today?” Sometimes it bothers me, but most times, it doesn’t, because I am convinced that working is never shameful. I am proud of myself and everything I have achieved so far. I was excited to join the business planning training provided by LLWB because I believed it would broaden my knowledge and skills in the agri-food sector. It did this and empowered me at different levels, as I have become more vocal, and more self-confident to express openly my opinions and views. I also realized that I am experienced in my field and that what I think matters. I developed memorable friendships, and I found a community with similar experiences working in agriculture. During the five-day training, we learned how to lead, to work in a team, and to deal with interpersonal and group conflicts. We were also taught how to create a personal business image for our products, and how to network. We also learned sales techniques. This training has encouraged me to start my own project: a homemade food store serving Akkar and different regions in Lebanon. I want everyone from all over the country to have a taste of Akkar through organically cultivated and produced food. I am hopeful and have ambitious ideas for the future, and I cannot wait to implement them. From grieving the loss of a child to starting a new agri-food business, I stand proud of what I have achieved.” Ramzieh is one of 600 women working in agriculture and agri-food and who took part in UN Women’s training on leadership, personal development, managerial skills, and business. The project “QEWA- Qualifying and Empowering Women in Agriculture” is delivered by the Lebanese League for Women in business under the UN 3-year Productive Sector Development Programme and funded by the Government of Canada. Launched in June 2020 and running till June 2023, the program, being implemented by a consortium of 6 UN agencies, aims to support gender-responsive job creation and to help create economic opportunities in the agricultural and agri-food sectors in Lebanon.

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01 February 2023

UNESCO, UNIC Beirut Launch Media Campaign on Transforming Education in Lebanon

On the occasion of International Day for Education, UNESCO regional office in Beirut launched its Transforming Education Media Campaign in Lebanon, in collaboration with the UN Information Centre (UNIC) in Beirut and the Ministries of Education and Information in the country. The campaign follows Lebanon’s participation at the Transforming Education Summit in New York last summer and its national commitments to compensate for the educational loss as a result of Covid-19 pandemic and transform education to lay the foundations for the future so that Lebanon and other similar countries facing challenges can become more inclusive, relevant and resilient in the face of shocks. This two-month-long campaign aims at introducing the public to the current status of the educational sector in Lebanon and the challenges it is facing and shedding light on promising initiatives by various stakeholders to respond to challenges, in addition to asserting the six calls to action made at the summit that Lebanon committed to, including foundational learning; green and digital transitions; advancing gender equality; education in crisis contexts; and equitable and efficient education financing. It will also continue all year long to mobilize the media to highlight those calls to action and highlight the work done towards transforming education in Lebanon. In her opening statement at the press conference, UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka stressed the need to unify efforts and strengthen the capacities of policy makers and teachers towards transforming education. She also encouraged media outlets “to maintain their support to the education sector and relay key messages on the priorities and the need to create opportunities in the country.” “Education is a basic human right. It is a source of personal integrity and empowerment and a driving force for the advancement of social, economic, political and cultural development,” Wronecka added.

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16 January 2023

UN Lebanon Supports Better Agricultural Practices to Improve Crop Yields and Protect the Environment

Ali Al-Khatib, 35, inherited his business of potato cultivation in Kfarzabad, Beqaa- Lebanon, from his family. He began working with his father at the age of 15 relying on the heavy use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides and large amounts of irrigation water upon their belief that this will yield better quantity and quality of crops. It was not until a few months ago that Ali’s perceptions and practices started changing after he encountered agricultural specialists who exposed him to new agricultural practices. “Farming is my career and part of my family heritage; therefore, learning good practices in cultivating potatoes makes me feel better about myself and my profession. The new methods I learned also turned out to be more cost-effective, financially and environmentally,” Ali says. Cultivating Potatoes: A Family Specialty As an adolescent boy, Ali always wanted to take over the family business that his father inherited from his parents in the 80s. Knowing what he wanted to do early on in his life, Ali did not pursue higher education, but focused on learning the essentials of cultivating potato crops. “Our family is known for its specialty in farming and I decided to hold up to my grandfather’ business as I grew up.” As a farmer, Ali’s major concern had always been to increase the productivity of his land and make his business increasingly profitable, but he was not aware about the shortcomings of his agricultural practices and its side effects on natural water sources surrounding his village, including the Litani river. “It never occurred to me that my methods would be polluting or depleting natural water sources and harming the environment. We live by the Litani river and the Qaraoun Lake, and nobody would want to pollute their surroundings.” Acknowledging past malpractices In their bid to reduce the Litani River and Qaraoun Lake water pollution from agrochemicals, UN Lebanon through the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Lebanon (FAO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), deployed agricultural specialists in the upper Litani basin (Zahle, West Bekaa, and Baalbek) whose mission was to introduce and promote “Good Agricultural Practices” including “Integrated Pest Management” among farmers working in cultivating potatoes in the area. Within the framework of two projects funded by the Norwegian Government and the World Bank,[1] FAO and MoA used tangible evidence to raise farmer’s awareness about the negative impacts of traditional agricultural practices, encourage potato farmers to use less chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and help farmers find more sustainable agriculture practices that would improve crop yields while preserving water and protecting the environment. Similar to other farmers, Ali had five dunums of his land planted as a pilot plot where a measured amount of chemical fertilizers was used. Unexpectedly, Ali found out that the pilot plot yielded same and slightly better crops. “When specialists first reached out to me to convince me of the importance of reducing the quantity of agrochemicals in agriculture I was resistant. I couldn’t believe them at first and I was not planning to change my practices. But a wise person cannot deny real-life evidence,” Ali says. A reduction of 52% in the use of chemical fertilizers and 61% of chemical pesticides was recorded in the potato production in the Upper Litani basin in the Bekaa. Ali and other farmers also participated in a series of seminars between the months of October and November 2022 to discuss the results of the pilot project and ways to move forward. “I’m happy because I have learned how to balance my profit making endeavor with my duty to protect the surrounding environment.” Spreading Around the Good Knowledge Convinced by the efficiency of the new practices he learned under this project, Ali has been keen on spreading knowledge among farmers who did not participate in the project: “After talking to many farmers, I can assure you that most of them are open to changing their practices after seeing the positive impact of this project not only on their business but also on the environment and the overall well-being of the Litani river and Quaraoun lake neighboring villages, which is home for all of us,” Ali says. [1] This project is funded under the World Bank Financed Lake Qaraoun Pollution Prevention Project that aims to reduce the quantity of untreated municipal sewage discharged into the Litani river and to improve pollution management around Qaraoun Lake.

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Press Release

27 May 2023

UN Statement on the disbursement of cash assistance for refugees

As a result of meetings held yesterday with the Caretaker Prime Minister, H.E. Najib Mikati, and Caretaker Minister of Social Affairs, H.E. Hector Hajjar, and based on their requests, a decision has been made to temporarily pause the use of dual currency for next month's disbursement of cash assistance to refugees, while discussions continue on appropriate modalities. The United Nations reiterates its commitment to humanitarian principles in supporting the Government to assist the most vulnerable people across Lebanon. All programmatic decisions are taken with full transparency and commitment to our mandate including decisions on assistance modalities which are based on solid, objective evidence and thorough research. We continue to stand with the people and Government of Lebanon during these difficult times and foster a collaborative environment to reach those most in need, including refugees. ******

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Press Release

26 May 2023

Lebanon Export Academy, the first of its kind in Lebanon, graduates Lebanese agri-food MSMEs, cooperatives and start-ups, equips them for International Markets

The graduation ceremony was held in the presence of Ms. Chantale Akl, Head of the Minister Office and Head of Industrial Parks and Zones Bureau, representing H.E. Mr. George Bouchikian, Minister of Industry; Ms. Zeina Harake, Head of Foreign Trade Department, representing H.E. Mr. Amin Salam, Minister of Economy and Trade; Ms. Gloria Abi Zeid, Director General of the directorate of cooperatives, representing H.E. Abbas Hajj Hassan, Minister of Agriculture; Mr. Imran Riza, United Nations Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator; Mr. Jamie Schnurr, Head of Cooperation, Embassy of Canada to Lebanon; Mr. Emmanuel Kalenzi, UNIDO Representative to Lebanon, Jordan and Syria; Ms. Melanie Hauenstein, UNDP Resident Representative in Lebanon; and Mr. Maroun Chammas, Berytech CEO. The Lebanon Export Academy is implemented by UNIDO and UNDP in partnership with Berytech, as part of the Productive Sectors Development Programme (PSDP), a UN joint programme generously funded by the Government of Canada. The programme aims at supporting gender-responsive job creation and helping to generate economic opportunities in the agri-food and agriculture sectors in Lebanon, with a specific focus on women and female youth in disadvantaged areas. “The PSDP has gathered all of us here today to celebrate the 50 agri-food MSMEs and cooperatives who are graduating from the Lebanon Export Academy. This academy illustrates an excellent example of Private and Public Partnership (PPP) and of an innovative e-learning platform that is available and accessible to all,” said Riza in his opening remarks. “With your persistence and enthusiasm, you are helping lay the foundations for Lebanon’s economic recovery, and very importantly with women at the center,” he added. Since the launch of the Lebanon Export Academy in April 2022, the academy has benefited 70 SMEs, cooperatives and start-ups, 60% of which are women-led, and has equipped them with the tools, insights and tips to enable them to export their agri-food products to new international markets. Through in-person and online flexible modalities of learning adapted to their needs, the training packages addressed the challenges identified by experts and MSMEs in this field across the export value chain. “Today the success of the Academy is the result of the drive and motivation of businesses, the high caliber of its trainers, and the experience of the local partner. Continuing to manage this learning platform together with the support of our government partners, we hope this success will continue in the long-run” said Ms. Alexandra Santillana, Senior Development Officer at the Embassy of Canada to Lebanon. The courses offered by the academy have been delivered by top-notch Lebanese experts and practitioners in the field of export, who have transmitted their know-how and expertise to help MSMEs avoid export-related challenges, while maximizing their export potential. The modules have covered all export processes and procedures, ranging from researching new markets to documentation, trade agreements, quality requirements, pricing strategies, and more, making the Lebanese Export Academy a key pillar to ensuring the sustainability of the sector in the long-run. “We believe that export-led growth is key for Lebanon's economic recovery. In this endeavor, the Lebanon Export Academy plays a significant role as it is a vital enabler and a fundamental building block. The Academy's ability to nurture and enhance the export capabilities of businesses in Lebanon aligns directly with UNDP's mission for a people-centered recovery that capitalizes on Lebanon’s enormous potential", said Hauenstein. “In the current economic situation in Lebanon where foreign exchange is increasingly needed for businesses to survive, supporting export-oriented initiatives such as the Lebanon Export Academy is of critical importance to help MSMEs sustain their businesses in the local and international markets,” said Kalenzi. For her part, Akl said: "Today, more than ever, the importance of export for Lebanon’s growth and prosperity has to be emphasized. Our industrial sector holds tremendous potential, and tapping into international markets with the right knowledge and expertise is the key to unlocking that potential. Today’s event truly embodies this commitment and constitutes a great example of the efficiency of Private Public Partnerships”. The role of the academy has become essential today to equip start-ups, micro, small and medium enterprises and cooperatives providing them with the needed support to ensure their project feasibility and financial sustainability while lowering their risk of failure amidst the country’s current economic and financial crisis. “Integration into the world economy has become more challenging today due to the new upcoming trade policies governing international trade. In this context, we think that the “Lebanon Export Academy” will play a vital role in facing these challenges by supporting MSMEs working in the agri-food and agriculture sector, providing a variety of in-person and online training courses covering a series of topics related to export readiness, conducting market research, understanding export documentation and legal requirements, setting export prices, and finding suitable financing options,” said Harake in her opening remarks. “We appreciate the efforts exerted to establish the Lebanon Export Academy, because of its positive effects in terms of enhancing the chances of achieving some of the strategic goals set by the Ministry of Agriculture, especially in terms of reviving the livelihoods of farmers and producers, increasing productive capacity, as well as enhancing the efficiency and competitiveness of agricultural and food production chains,” stressed Abi Zeid in her statement. The graduation ceremony was also an opportunity to present the Lebanon Export Academy’s innovative e-learning platform that offers business leaders online digital tools to boost their learning in a self-paced manner. More information on the Lebanon Export Academy can be found on this URL: https://lebanonexportacademy.com/ For more information, contact Ms. Chloe Khoury, UNIDO Communications Specialist, at: c.khoury@unido.org

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Press Release

24 May 2023

UN-Habitat partners with LCEC, expanding efforts to provide responsible renewable energy solutions in Lebanon.

LCEC will work with UN-Habitat to assess the feasibility and efficiency of implementing solar energy systems in more than twenty pre-selected sites. Following a feasibility study, that will be undertaken by LCEC, shortlisted sites will have needs-based renewable energy interventions implemented. Furthermore, a joint national awareness-raising campaign focused on best practices from selection, installation, and maintenance of the systems, including safety measures to be taken into consideration when installing solar energy systems, will run in parallel. "While sustainable energy is progressing rapidly in many sectors of the Lebanese economy, some sub-sectors are being left behind and kept in the dark. The importance of this partnership between UN-Habitat and LCEC is that it targets facilities from those unprivileged sub-sectors and supports them to join this green energy transition. Not only will this cooperation improves energy performance within those facilities, but also it would strengthen their role in the societal fabric towards robust, healthier, and safer urban environments. LCEC is so grateful to be able to contribute to this. "said Pierre El Khoury, LCEC General Director and President of the Board. “Cities are major contributors to climate change – including in Lebanon. According to UN-Habitat, cities consume 78% of the world’s energy and produce more than 60% of greenhouse gas emissions. While Lebanon continues to suffer from a pronounced energy crisis, the sector of renewable energy has seen a remarkable leap in the past couple of years. UN-Habitat has embarked in many projects to address this crisis and through our partnership with LCEC we will be supporting more public institutions and municipalities to embark more green solutions for a better urban future.’’ said Taina Christiansen, Head of UN-Habitat Lebanon. Since its establishment, UN-Habitat Lebanon has been working effectively with partners and urban planning actors at the community, national and international levels to develop and implement programmes and interventions across the country that contribute to making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. -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 Lebanese Center for Energy Conservation (LCEC) The LCEC is a non-political not-for-profit organization. LCEC’s mission is to lead the efforts of Lebanon in the development of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy to increase energy security and de-carbonization levels. We proactively develop policies, implement projects, and shape the market in harmony with the global sustainable energy transition. For media enquiries: Layal Abou Antoun UN-Habitat Lebanon T: +961 1 985 398 M: +961 81 512629 E: layal.abouantoun@un.org Farah Al Mawla Lebanese Center for Energy Conservation T: +961 1 565 108 E:farah.mawla@lcec.org.lb

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Press Release

24 May 2023

UN Statement on the return to disbursement of cash assistance in dual currency

Following close consultations with relevant counterparts, government stakeholders and the Central Bank in recent months, the United Nations and partners have now returned to the previous modality of disbursing cash assistance to refugees in dual currency. Given the operational challenges including the rapid depreciation of the local currency, increased fluctuations of the exchange rate, and the strain on the financial provider in supplying large volumes of cash in Lebanese Pounds, it has become impossible for the United Nations and partners to continue to disburse cash assistance only in Lebanese Pounds. By the end of 2022, most assistance programmes in the country, including the Government’s National Poverty Targeting Programme supporting vulnerable Lebanese people, had shifted to USD or dual currency, allowing recipients to redeem their cash assistance either in USD or LBP. Dual currency payments for refugees are thus in line with this general approach. Cash-based interventions are used to provide protection, assistance, and services to the most vulnerable people across Lebanon. It helps Lebanese and refugees meet a variety of basic needs and contributes to the local economy by purchasing directly from local markets and shops. Cash assistance provided to vulnerable people across the country has always been based on assessments of needs that take into account the socio-economic realities and coping mechanisms. --ENDs For more information, please contact: UNHCR Paula Barrachina Esteban, barrachi@unhcr.org +34 675 51 35 44 Dalal Harb, harbda@unhcr.org + 961 70 113 107 Lisa Abou Khaled, aboukhal@unhcr.org +961 71 880 070 WFP Rasha Abou Dargham, rasha.aboudargham@wfp.org, +961 71 814 623

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Press Release

17 May 2023

Japan and UNOPS handed over solar photovoltaic systems and medical equipment to public hospitals in Lebanon

Amidst the acute electricity shortages in the country, the initiative, funded by the Government and the people of Japan, has strengthened the operational capacity of the Ministry of Public Health and helped curb the spread of COVID-19. The newly installed solar photovoltaic hybrid systems with the capacity to generate more than 266 KWp (kilo-watt peak) will cover 20-30% of the energy consumption of the targeted public hospitals in the North, Bekaa, and Nabatieh governorates. Additionally, 544 medical items and more than 13,000 light bulbs, fixtures and accessories were delivered to enhance energy efficiency and improve healthcare services provision. The project will ensure that power cuts do not interrupt life-saving and essential public health services while reducing the operational cost and burden on the hospitals. As a result of this project, more than 436,500 vulnerable girls and boys, men and women will have access to improved healthcare services. Speaking at the ceremony, H.E. Mr. Masayuki Magoshi, Ambassador of Japan to Lebanon said: “Governmental hospitals in Lebanon are the backbone and pillar of the country’s healthcare sector, and given the growing significance of their role Japan decided to support the governmental hospitals through the provision of a solar power system and essential medical equipment. Japan hopes that this assistance will help secure the sustainable access to health services to the most vulnerable communities during these difficult times.” Dr. Firas Abiad, the Minister of Public Health in Lebanon, said: “Using solar panels in the governmental hospitals will not only reduce the cost of energy but it will enhance the hospitals’ sustainable development, reduce their expenses and use the resources to improve the quality of services, support the hospitals’ personnel and retain them. We are grateful to this support from Japan and to UNOPS’s efforts in making this project a reality.” “Electricity and quality healthcare services have been critical for the people of Lebanon who are experiencing multiple challenges. I appreciate the continued partnership with the Government of Japan in support of vulnerable populations and in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health to enhance access to public health services in Lebanon.” said Muhammad Usman Akram, Representative and Director of UNOPS Operational Hub in Amman. About UNOPS: UNOPS helps the UN and its partners provide peace and security, humanitarian and development solutions. The organization’s mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development. UNOPS services cover infrastructure, project management, procurement, financial management and human resources. Partners call on UNOPS to supplement their own capacities, improve speed, reduce risks, boost cost-effectiveness and increase quality. UNOPS Operational Hub in Amman covers projects in Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen and implements work in partnership with bilateral and multilateral donors, national governments and other UN agencies.

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