United Nations and European Union Join Forces to Strengthen Al-Fayhaa Fire Brigade and Enhance Community Safety in Northern Lebanon

As first line responders, the men and women of the fire brigade play a crucial role in ensuring public safety of Al-Fayhaa residents. In 2021 alone, the fire brigade conducted nearly 1,200 missions, averaging 97 per month, responding to fires, conducting rescue operations, and providing transportation to hospitals for patients. However, the work of the fire brigade was severely limited due to a crumbling building, inadequate equipment, and obsolete vehicles. In response, the Urban Community Al-Fayhaa proposed a comprehensive project to strengthen the fire brigade, including the rehabilitation of the building, procurement of vehicles and essential equipment, training and capacity building for fire brigade staff, and the implementation of a pilot project to enhance public safety in the area.

As a first key milestone, the renovation of the fire brigade building was recently completed. The works included fixing water leakages and addressing related damages, installing proper plumbing and electrical networks, and installing a solar system on the roof to ensure continued operations. In addition, the building now boasts fully equipped rooms, complete with electrical appliances, cabinets, beds, mattresses, and a renovated burn treatment room. 48 fire fighters underwent specialized training in first aid and advanced firefighting techniques, and 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. Further training on firefighting techniques for civil defense personnel is scheduled for July 2023, benefiting 15 first responders.

Later this year, the fire brigade will receive crucial equipment and vehicles to strengthen response capabilities during fire incidents and rescue operations across the four cities of the union. This includes firefighting trucks, escape ladders, portable road safety barriers, fire extinguishers, uniforms, and sports equipment.

“I am here with you to inaugurate the Fire Brigade building, which is a developmental project. Although this project focuses on the material, we assure you that we will focus more on the people by supporting the Fire Brigade personnel any way we can,” said H.E. Judge Bassam Mawlawi, Minister of Interior and Municipalities representing the Prime Minister.

“The new center is more than just a building, it is a haven where firefighters can gather, train and prepare for the upcoming challenges. This center will serve as a hub of knowledge and a place to enhance skills and competences since it provides firefighters with state-of-the-art facilities, advanced equipment, and innovative training programs, ensuring that they have the necessary resources to perform their duties with the utmost professionalism,” said Mr. Hassan Ghomrawi, Head of Urban Community Al-Fayhaa and Mayor of Beddawi Municipality.

“Firefighters are on the frontline during emergencies and crises putting their lives at risk to save others. This project has fully rehabilitated and supported the Urban Community of Al-Fayhaa Fire Brigade with the training, tools, equipment, services and improved living conditions the firefighters need to protect their community from fires and emergencies. This project is essential to strengthening the fire brigade’s capacity to respond to fire incidents and rescue operations in the four cities of the union that are home to over 450,000 residents. It will help to protect the lives and property of the residents of Al-Fayhaa and the surrounding areas while contributing to enhancing the resilience of cities in Lebanon," said Taina Christiansen, Head of UN-Habitat Lebanon.

“The EU through MERP and other bilateral projects supports good governance, resilience and accountable local authorities and their host/refugee populations through an emphasis on capacity development for holistic, area-based planning, service delivery and local socio-economic development. Our support to municipalities is also indirect through water/waste water programmes, education, health, social response or environment sector support,” said Alessia Squarcella, Deputy Head of Cooperation, Team Leader – Economy, Green Deal and Local Development, the European Union Delegation to Lebanon.

The rehabilitation of the fire brigade department falls under the Municipal Empowerment and Resilience Project (MERP), a joint initiative between UNDP and UN-Habitat, generously funded by the European Union (EU) through its Madad fund.

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For more information please contact:

Aline Kiwan, MERP Media and Communication Officer, at aline.kiwan@un.org, mobile 03-294070

Note to editors

About the Municipal Empowerment and Resilience Project (MERP)

MERP is a joint project by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). The Project is being implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities (MoIM) and funded by the European Union (EU). The project aims to strengthen the long-term resilience of subnational authorities in Lebanon as well as host communities and displaced persons affected by the Syrian crisis. Learn more about MERP at UNDP website and UN-Habitat website.

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.

Learn more at www.unhabitat.org/lebanon or follow us on Twitter at @UNHabitatLB, on Facebook at UN-Habitat Lebanon and on Instagram at UNHabitatLB

About the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet.

Learn more at www.lb.undp.org or follow on Twitter at @UNDP_Lebanon, on Facebook at UNDP Lebanon and on Instagram at UNDP_Lebanon

About the European Union (EU)

The European Union supports Lebanon’s stability, independence and sovereignty, its prosperity and democratic order. It strives also to help protect its environment and natural resources by supporting sustainable enterprise and development. The European Union is also committed to the promotion and protection of human rights in Lebanon including defending gender equality, children’s rights and freedom of expression. The EU Delegation in Lebanon represents the European Union to the Republic of Lebanon with the objective to maintain and develop mutual beneficial relations. It engages in political, social and economic development activities on behalf of the European Union and based on the most pressing needs of the country of Lebanon.

Learn more on the work of the EU in Lebanon or follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @EUinLebanon