UNDP Continues its Recovery Efforts in Beirut Southern Suburbs

In the framework of the socio-economic recovery of Beirut Southern Suburb, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) organized a field visit to burj Al Barajneh area to launch the opening of Al Shahed Street. The visit was attended by UNDP Staff and representatives from the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA). The project included the rehabilitation of the street and of the electricity poles in addition to the rehabilitation of the sewage system, all in the context of supporting the southern suburb and its municipalities.

In addition, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), represented by its Resident Representative Ms. Marta Ruedas, and the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid Department (ECHO), represented by Ms. Kathy Evans and Mr. Alain Robins with the presence of the head of municipalities and the local partners, launched the opening of: Moawad Street (320 meters) which included the rehabilitation of the infrastructure in order to enhance the services and to support the area economically; the Popular Vegetable Market in Hey El Selloum ; Al Husseinein Street in Haret Hreik which was severely damaged due to the July war 2006.

It should be noted that the United Nations Development Programme took the initiative to implement several early recovery projects with the amount of 1.5 Million $US funded by different donors such as the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid Department (ECHO) and Australia, in addition to developing different projects through the ART GOLD programme towards supporting the southern suburb and its municipalities.

These projects included rubble removal, rehabilitation of infrastructure (electricity poles, sewage system, rehabilitation of public premises, provision of machineries and equipments to help the municipalities perform the restoration and maintenance work.

It should also be noted that the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid Department (ECHO) allocated 20 million Euros to emergency response, setting up programs for basic needs distribution and sanitary services, and humanitarian coordination for the internally displaced persons during the conflict.

In addition, 30 million Euros were also assigned to the rehabilitation phase encompassing shelter rehabilitation, water and sanitation, psycho-social support as well as livelihood projects targeting the most vulnerable members of the population. (UNDP)