Ambassador Shorter Inaugurates UK Funded Projects in Bekaa
As part of the UK’s ongoing partnership with the Ministry of Social Affairs, British Ambassador Hugo Shorter returned to the Bekaa to inaugurate four additional UK funded projects under the Lebanon Host Communities Support Program, a close partnership between the Ministry of Social Affairs and the United Nations Development Program, a press release said Thursday.
Ambassador Shorter inaugurated the construction and rehabilitation of agricultural roads, bridges and road networks in Taalabaya and Saadnayel, to enable farmers to access their lands and decrease the cost of transportation. These projects have benefited over 14,000 commuters, 800 farmers and agricultural workers in both areas.
He also inaugurated the rehabilitation of Zahle’s only orphanage Hadanet al Tofl, allowing girls to have a much safer environment in which to study and live. The projects were chosen through the Maps of Risks and Resources consultation process, set by the community and local people in the Bekaa, in coordination with the Ministry of Social Affairs and UNDP.
He was accompanied by the mayors of Zahle, Taalabaya and Saadnayel, Assad Zogheib, George Sawwan and Khalil Shehimi respectively; as well as the National Coordinator of the Lebanon Host Communities Support Program at the Ministry of Social Affairs, Suheir El Ghali. UNDP Officer in Charge - Regional Bureau for Arab States, Sophie de Caen also accompanied the visit.
Following a warm welcome from the children at the orphanage who performed the Dabke, Ambassador Shorter said: “I am pleased to return to the Bekaa to see our words turned once again into actions. The UK’s commitment to this program is a result of investment that has grown exceptionally to support vulnerable local communities since 2013. Our support has targeted the municipality’s needs in humanitarian and agricultural sectors, with the latter benefiting thousands of families in this region where agriculture plays a large part in the economy.
“We are also supporting many other projects in the region, for example, work with Mercy Corps’ INTAJ program delivering waste management and job creation projects through skills training and support to small and medium sized enterprises. As a result over 250 jobs have been found or created so far in the Bekaa and North Lebanon.
Lebanon is the 2nd largest recipient of UK aid in the Middle East, the second largest recipient of UK aid per head in the world, and our total support to Lebanese stability, prosperity and security has reached £436m since 2011.”
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