Resident Coordinator's Opening Remarks at the Launch of the Third Phase of the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) in Lebanon

Ambassador,

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

I am honoured to be present here today to launch the third phase of the Women Peace and Humanitarian Fund in Lebanon – a flexible and rapid UN financing mechanism – established to empower women-led organizations to prevent and de-escalate conflict, respond to crises through humanitarian assistance, and invest in peacebuilding and confidence-building measures to foster resilient communities.

The Fund is a crucial instrument that enables diverse civil society organizations to promote peace and provide life-saving assistance as humanitarian needs are growing amid increasingly challenging circumstances.

As we gather today at this critical moment for Lebanon, to reinforce our collective commitment to Lebanon’s civil society, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to H.E. Ambassador Kurt Stöckl-Stillfried for hosting this event and to the Government of Germany for their generous support to the Fund. This support is enabling women-led organizations to foster peaceful and prosperous societies through humanitarian action and peacebuilding at a time when mass displacement is on the rise, healthcare facilities are under threat, and women and children are subject to hostilities.

As we enter the Fund’s third phase, I would like to take a moment to pay tribute to the important role and the many achievements of numerous women-led organizations that have benefitted from the support of the Fund.

With flexible funding, these organizations have been able to operate in an agile manner in often rapidly changing environments – by addressing the immediate needs of the most vulnerable, providing protection, upholding human rights, and driving positive change to foster resilience within communities, even in the face of immense challenges.

I personally have had the privilege of meeting many of these dedicated women who leads efforts around the country, and their work continues to inspire and drive our collective efforts.

In the last 3 years, the WPHF in Lebanon has reached more than 4000 women and LBGTIQ+ individuals, through a range of activities including: 

• The development and execution of disaster management plans in collaboration with the Internal Security Forces and local stakeholders to enhance the safety of women in crisis-affected settings.
• The establishment of dialogue between service providers and beneficiaries, fostering accountability of service delivery.
• The creation of safe spaces to accommodate marginalized groups and ensure the presence and security of women in public areas.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

These impactful results achieved by partners of the Fund, made possible with funding from the Government of Germany, demonstrate that women are and always will be at the forefront of conflict prevention and life-saving humanitarian assistance across the country. 

Therefore, it is imperative that we continue to invest in similar initiatives to mitigate the risks of increased instability amid the immense challenges facing Lebanon, including displacement and protracted economic, social, and political difficulties. These investments are crucial to fostering sustainable development and ensuring a more stable and resilient future for Lebanon and its people.

The achievements of the organizations supported by the Fund also provide evidence of the importance of including women in all aspects of humanitarian assistance and peacebuilding efforts to enhance the effectiveness of our support and respond to diverse needs in the population. 

By empowering women as community leaders and enabling women to equally access decision-making processes pertaining to Lebanon’s future, we support efforts that leverage the full talent of the population. This approach not only addresses immediate needs but also challenges the structural inequalities and root causes that prevent women and girls from realizing their full potential. By addressing these barriers, we reduce the risks of continuous instability, cycles of violence, poverty, discrimination, and marginalization of women and girls.

I firmly believe that young women, alongside young men, have a pivotal role to play in fostering sustainable development and a peaceful future for all in Lebanon. The WPHF mechanism is a critical catalyst that has the potential to inject seed funding for short-term gains while at the same time establishing a bridge to lasting change. The United Nations is committed to supporting Lebanon in this transition—today and in the future—in solidarity with Lebanon and the Lebanese people, as the country navigates these uncertain times.

In conclusion, I would like to extend my gratitude to Ms. Gielan El Messiri, UN Women’s Representative in Lebanon, and her colleagues, for the invaluable support and coordination they are providing to national partners, as the administrative entity of the Women Peacebuilding and Humanitarian Fund. 

UN Women’s collaboration has proven highly efficient and effective in advancing our shared objectives in ensuring the safety and protection of women and girls, and promoting their full and equal access to leadership and participation in decision-making on matters related to peace, security, and humanitarian response.

Thank you.