Local governments in Lebanon are facing compounded crises, including the Syrian displacement crisis, Lebanon’s economic and financial crises, and the global and local impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which impose unprecedented challenges on their capacity to deliver basic services to their communities.   In response to these crises, UN-Habitat jointly with UNDP are implementing a new approach delivered by the Municipal Empowerment and Resilience project (MERP) aiming to strengthen local authorities’ capacity to identify basic service and local economic development (BS\LED) projects that are responsive to the needs of local communities, including refugee populations. The project is funded by the European Union through the EU Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian Crisis, ‘Madad Fund’. First, MERP launched a call for concept notes for projects up to USD 330,000, which included a detailed selection criterion emphasizing the need to stress on projects that are inclusive, sustainable and responsive to the communities' needs. In total 33 concept notes for BS\LED projects were submitted. To ensure that also municipalities with limited capacity can benefit from this opportunity, short-listed municipalities received training and coaching to develop their concept notes into full proposals.   ‘The practical approach adopted in the coaching sessions helped me to identify the nature of activities, as well as the competencies and timeframe, which are considered an important part of the proposal development process, in addition to the estimated cost of each detail', Khalil El Husseini, a municipal staff said upon completion of the training session on proposal writing. The submitted projects cover key municipal services such as firefighting services, sports and youth centers, healthcare centers, public gardens, energy efficiency projects, sewage systems, and drinking water services. Considering Lebanon's current situation, several municipalities submitted concept notes for projects with a strong local economic development focus, including initiatives supporting the local agricultural sector such as agricultural markets, a natural soap factory and cow/agri-food production farms. Other municipalities proposed projects with an entrepreneurship focus, such as business incubators and training centers.   MERP shortlisted 18 municipalities and provided further support in developing full-fledged proposals through training and hands-on coaching. This resulted in the development of solid projects. It also strengthened much-needed municipal capacity to identify projects and develop project ideas that respond to local needs. Furthermore, the training and coaching process will be also documented and made available to external municipalities so that MERPs impact extends beyond the municipalities that entered the call.  Additionally, MERP developed a functional assessment for two of the 14 existing Regional Technical Offices (RTOs) that aim to strengthen local governance, enhance service delivery, and mainstream planned interventions, in Lebanon. The purpose of the assessment is to propose recommendations to strengthen RTOs and to support the replication and sustainability of the model on the longer term. This will further enable RTOs to provide technical and social assistance to municipalities and union of municipalities (UoMs) in the design and implementation of municipal projects. A municipal fair was organized in August for municipalities and UoMs to present their final proposals to key stakeholders, including other national, regional and local actors and development partners. MERP supported municipalities in marketing their ideas during the fair, thereby paving the way for potential implementation through other local or international funding opportunities. In parallel, selected municipalities and UoMs will be part of a municipal finance assessment. Based on the assessment, MERP will implement select municipal finance solutions to strengthen revenue collection/budget efficiency. This in turn will support the longer-term sustainability of implemented projects. As the economic and financial crises progress, and municipal resources are rapidly dwindling, municipalities are increasingly looking towards external donors to be able to deliver much needed services to their communities. Through this activity, MERP hopes to not only address the immediate needs of local communities in terms of basic services and local economic development projects, but also to invest in municipal and UoMs capacity to successfully attract external resources in the future. Also, as a next step, MERP will support the development and implementation of eight municipal projects and two unions projects by 2022. This story was written by Aline Kiwan, Media and Communication Officer at UN-Habitat, working on the Municipal Empowerment and Resilience Project.

The 4th of August has become an ominous day that will dwell forever in the memory of every Lebanese. On this fateful day, 214 people lost their lives, over 6,000 were injured and thousands found themselves without any shelter, their lives and livelihoods completely shattered. The damage was colossal on many fronts, caused by the unsafe storage of an enormous quantity of ammonium nitrate at the Port of Beirut for many years.   On the occasion of the first anniversary of this tragic day, the United Nations staff in Lebanon has united in grief to mourn the victims of this horrendous tragedy, and express their solidarity with their families and the injured and with the people of Lebanon at large who are bearing the brunt of the country’s socio-economic, financial and political crises. A minute of silence was observed at the Port of Beirut where the massive explosions erupted, in the presence of UN officials, ambassadors and the diplomatic corps in Lebanon. “Let us take this moment of silence to honor the memory of the victims of this terrible explosion, to show our solidarity with their families and all the Lebanese people,” UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka said before the minute of silence was observed at the Port. “A Minute of Silence will never console the pain of families of the victims of the Beirut Blast,” tweeted the UN Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Najat Rochdi on this solemn occasion. “Today we reflect on the suffering and sorrow of those who lost their loved ones in this dreadful tragedy, of the survivors and people of Lebanon and reiterate our call for a swift and impartial investigation,” she added. UN Staff Members recall and react Concurrently, other UN staff members observed one minute of silence in their respective UN offices to pay tribute to the victims and show their solidarity with their bereaved families and with their UN colleagues who lost their loved ones. “August 4 has been marked in every single Lebanese person. For me, time stopped there,” said Danielle Inaty, UNV National Specialist working with WHO office in Lebanon. “It has been a year already! Yet, I still live this tragic event over and over again.” Inaty observed a minute in silence with her colleagues in WHO office in Beirut and added with tears running down her cheeks: “scars may have healed, but we will forever remember this sad day. May the soul of the victims rest in eternal peace”.  UN staff were equally hit by this fatal explosion. They lost family members, relatives, friends and saw their houses falling into debris. Rana Dash, a Lebanese programme assistant working for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Lebanon, still remembers vividly what happened on that day. The minute she felt the shockwaves of the explosion from her house in Ashrafieh, Rana knew that people would need her help, so she sprang into immediate action. “I heard a huge explosion, followed by a tide of screaming and shattering glass. I grabbed my first aid kit and drove my damaged car to Gemmayzeh to help. My tires crunched on broken glass. It was the first time that I see so much blood in my entire life... People turned to prayers amid the tragedy, and my only concern back then was to stop people’s bleeding and save their lives.”  Elie Mansour, senior engineer and head of UN-Habitat Lebanon’s Urban Planning and Design Unit, was another UN staff survivor from the Beirut blast. He was still in the office working late when the blast went off. “The building shook. I started praying. The alarm sounded, the windows blew out of the walls, and the office’s interior partitions titled. The office was in complete ruins,” Elie said recounting his most horrifying moments that day. “Looking back, I know that my story does not compare with those of people who had their lives taken or changed forever on 4 August 2020, but for me it was a lesson that even through the hardest moments, hope should always prevail,” Elie added with a determination to stay hopeful despite all the hardships facing Lebanon. A joint EU-UN-WB position on the commemoration of the Beirut Blast The commemoration of the fatal explosions was also observed by the three principals of the European Union, the World Bank and the UN who are partners in the so-called “Reform, Recovery and Reconstruction Framework (3RF)” that aims for a rapid transition towards Lebanon’s recovery with focus on governance, social protection, social cohesion, inclusion and gender, health, education, and housing. “365 days later, the people of Lebanon are still waiting for the justice promised by the country’s decision makers… 365 days later, the investigation continues to stall, without a truly independent judiciary able to block political intervention… 365 days later, we reiterate our call for an effective, independent and transparent investigation that can bring justice for the victims and peace for their families,” wrote Rochdi along with Ambassador of the European Union to Lebanon, Ralph Tarraf, and the Regional Director of the Middle East Department of the World Bank, Saroj Kumar Jha in an Op-Ed published in local media on the same day. A year after the blast, grieving families continue to seek justice and truth for their loved ones, and the UN reiterates its call for a swift, independent and impartial investigation that guarantees justice to victims and ensures families’ right to remedy and reparation. A Conference in Support of the People of Lebanon Reaffirming its support for Lebanon one year after the devastating explosion, the UN co-chaired with France an international donor conference to boost aid and prevent a “humanitarian catastrophe” in Lebanon.  The conference responded to a UN humanitarian appeal for $370 million in emergency aid for the coming 12 months. This new appeal aims to save lives and to address the most urgent food security, water, sanitation, health and education needs of impoverished Lebanese and migrants. However, “humanitarian assistance cannot be a long-term solution”, read the co-chairs’ statement issued after the conference, calling first and foremost for a Government formation that implements reforms promised since the 2018 CEDRE Conference, the resumption of negotiations with IMF and the timely preparations of transparent and impartial 2022 elections. Participants in the conference reiterated their commitment to stand alongside the Lebanese people and expressed their determination “to make use of all available instruments to provide direct support to population.” But structural economic and financial assistance require profound changes by Lebanon leaders, concluded the statement.

On August 4th, 2020, a devastating blast in a warehouse destroyed much of the centre of the Lebanese capital, Beirut. Many neighbourhoods were destroyed, downtown Beirut looked like a war zone. Thousands were injured and some 200 people tragically lost their lives on that day and the days that followed. For many, their property and livelihoods were literally blown away. “I had only been in my new position of UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon for three days when the devastating explosions ripped through Beirut Port. The effects of those explosions are still reverberating one year later. The country is striving to find a path to emerge from a tragedy that has touched every single person. The destructive fallout of August 4th intensified suffering in Lebanon, which was already reeling from civil unrest, economic and financial hardship, increasing poverty, and unemployment, compounded by political deadlock and a soaring number of COVID-19 cases. A year on from this tragedy, there is deepening hardship and mounting frustration. I met with many Lebanese people who gave voice and face to the deprivation and adversity that so many are experiencing in this country. People such as a 59-year-old homeless man called Youssef, whose dream is to have a roof above his head and a door that he can close when he sleeps and Cathy, who is 15, who has the simple desire to own a mobile phone so she can access online learning. Or Mirna, a 50-year-old teacher who used to make her own living and provide for her family, but can now only afford one meal a day and is obliged to ask for help. She told me with tears in her eyes “They took my dignity”. Situation ‘worsening by the day’ It is clear to me that the situation of ordinary people in Lebanon is worsening by the day. Currently, the UN estimates that more than one million Lebanese (out of a population of almost eight million, including more than two million refugees and migrants) need relief assistance to cover their basic needs, including access to food, health, education and water.  In addition, nine out of 10 refugees live in extreme poverty, an increase from 55 per cent from only a year before. Over half of the migrants in Lebanon say they were unable to meet their food needs, and the same number of migrants reported being unemployed (with the majority losing their jobs during the last quarter of 2020). Lebanon, which not so long ago was a high middle-income country, is now facing probably the worst financial and economic crisis in its modern history; over half of its population is living in poverty. It is perhaps not surprising that many people have lost trust in their leaders and institutions.   Support for a brighter future Despite the grim viewpoint, I believe, and so do many Lebanese, that the country has strong potential for a brighter future. In the immediate aftermath of the explosions the United Nations and its partners reacted quickly and decisively to save lives and provide emergency assistance to those affected. $167 million was generously received for the United Nations coordinated flash appeal, one of the best funded appeals in 2020.  Support was provided to hospitals and health care centres for continuation of basic services, including in relation to COVID-19; damage to houses was assessed and emergency shelter kits distributed to ensure immediate safety and protection; water connections, including pumps and tanks, were re-established; hygiene and baby kits, in addition to in-kind food parcels, were distributed; protection services and psycho-social and mental health support services were provided; resources were allocated for debris clearance efforts.  Essential repairs were also started for hospitals, primary health care centres, schools and housing, while the humanitarian community transitioned towards multi-purpose cash assistance in support of recovery, livelihoods and local markets. On the recovery side, the UN, along with the European Union (EU) and the World Bank, and in consultation with relevant stakeholders, developed the Reform, Recovery and Reconstruction Framework. Known as 3RF, it is a people-centered programme, anchored in participation, inclusion and social justice. It’s for the people and felt by them. It envisages a ground-breaking new way of working, which relies on partnerships, that bring together the presidency, government, parliament, civil society, private sector, and international partners, in addition to the EU, World Bank and UN to ensure the reconstruction of critical assets, services, and infrastructure for equal access to quality basic services, as well as the implementation of key reforms. Its forward-looking priorities, programmes and investments, include social inclusion and protection; housing and cultural heritage rehabilitation; municipal services and environment; and business recovery. Already, thousands of people have received legal assistance to deal with claims arising from the explosions. Several public buildings have been retrofitted with green technologies, health facilities have received critical medical equipment. Several schools and medical facilities have been reconstructed or partially rehabilitated. In this way, Lebanon is beginning the long and arduous process of building back better.   ‘Emergency assistance is not the solution’ But also, Lebanon’s recovery must coincide with reform. Emergency assistance is not the solution.
It is regretful that Lebanon’s leaders have been unable to reach agreement on the formation of a new government in the past 10 months, which has delayed urgently needed structural reforms to address the country’s numerous challenges. This is a critical moment in Lebanon’s history. The combined magnitude, depth and multi-dimensionality of the political, socio-economic and humanitarian crises facing Lebanon is unprecedented and presents an increasingly challenging landscape for the United Nations to implement its mandates.
But ultimately the responsibility for avoiding the total collapse of Lebanon lies primarily in the hands of its leaders.   UN stands by Lebanon Unfortunately, a year on from my arrival in Lebanon and the explosions which rocked Beirut shortly thereafter, the situation continues to deteriorate. The UN is developing a 12-month Emergency Response Plan that articulates collective priority responses to the critical humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable Lebanese and migrants affected by the situation; it complements the support already provided to refugees and host communities.  This is not a solution. It aims at linking with and preparing the transition towards solutions to address the root causes of the crisis, which will only come from structural reforms and Government-led comprehensive and sustainable development interventions, including the implementation of a full-fledged comprehensive and inclusive Government-led social protection strategy.  I have been inspired by the spirit, solidarity, and courage of the young Lebanese people. The UN will continue to stand by Lebanon as it continues on the path to recovery and ultimately fulfilling its potential. That said, the greatest capital is the human capital and Lebanon can count on its women and men. Those who pledged not to leave the country despite the situation, those who use their creativity, their entrepreneurship and their commitment to build a better Lebanon. Those are the best hope for Lebanon”. This story was produced and published by the UN News

Three civil society representatives have been appointed to the Independent Oversight Board of the Reform, Recovery and Reconstruction Framework (3RF): Diana Menhem, Managing Director of Kulluna Irada; Julien Courson, Executive Director of the Lebanese Transparency Association – No Corruption; and Roula Mikael, Founder and Executive Director of the Maharat Foundation. The IOB serves as an independent mechanism to provide oversight on implementation and financing of the 3RF and to hold stakeholders – including government, development partners, and implementing organizations – accountable for overall progress. The inclusion of civil society in the governance and implementation of reform, recovery and reconstruction is a core principle of the 3RF. Civil society is also represented in the 3RF Consultative Group (CG), the platform for strategic guidance and policy dialogue on 3RF priorities and implementation, as well as the Partnership Council governing the Lebanon Financing Facility (LFF). Members of the IOB were selected based on an open, transparent process, taking into account the expertise, capacity and non-partisanship status of both the representatives and the nominating CSOs following a Call for Expression of Interest launched on April 28, 2021 . IOB members will rotate on a yearly basis with rotation of half of its members to ensure overlap between one Board and another. A call for expression of interest will be issued in the second half of 2021 to fill the remaining 3 seats in the IOB and invite future members. Background on the nominating CSOs of the selected IOB members: Kulluna Irada is an advocacy group committed to political reform in Lebanon. It is engaged in defining the foundations of a modern, sustainable and just state, and in coalescing local and international actors around this vision to create momentum for change. It pairs extensive policy expertise (e.g. on issues of economic and financial reforms, transparency and accountability, judicial reforms, electricity sector and the oil & gas sector), with civil society engagement and advocacy tools. Kalluna Irada is represented by Managing Director Diana Menhem. The Lebanese Transparency Association – No Corruption (LTA) advocates for reform by focusing on systemic improvement and by building coalitions with other anti-corruption stakeholders, including the government, parliamentarians, the private sector, media institutions, the international community and civil society organizations. It is the Lebanese chapter of Transparency International (TI). LTA is represented by Executive Director Julien Courson. Maharat Foundation is a women-led Beirut based organization acting as a catalyst, defending and advancing the development of democratic societies governed by the values of freedom of expression, access to information and respect for human rights. Maharat Foundation operates Maharat News, an independent, online, multimedia platform, providing evidence-based information on issues of accountability. Maharat’s mission is to defend, catalyse, and advance democratic values of freedom of expression, access to information, and respect for human rights. Maharat Foundation is represented by Founder and Executive Director, Roula Mikael. The Reform, Recovery and Reconstruction Framework (3RF) was launched by the European Union (EU), the United Nations (UN) and the World Bank Group (WBG) in December 2020. It provides a costed, prioritized plan of key actions across sectors following the tragic explosions of August 4, 2020.