Lebanon

UNDP hosted a field visit to inaugurate development projects in Hermel

On November 11, 2009, the United Nations Development Programme hosted the inauguration of various development projects in the Caza of Hermel.

The inauguration took place in Al Kwakh village in Hermel Caza, in the presence of the UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Marta Ruedas and H.E. Member of Parliament Mr. Nawar Al Sahili. The first secretary at the Spanish Embassy Mr. Rafael Reig participated in the field visit alongside the Consul of the Austrian Embassy Mr. Gerhard Lutz, and the First Secretary of the Swedish Embassy.

The attendants visited the trout processing, smoking & packaging plant in Al Chwaghir village funded by the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Department (ECHO), and the Hermel entrance that was rehabilitated thanks to a generous contribution from the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) who also funded the construction of an irrigation canal in Al Chwaghir.
During the visit, the attendants inaugurated “Al Sindyan” Women’s Association for food processing in Al Kwakh, funded by Austria, and a Primary Health care center (PHCC) in Al Qaser funded by Spain and implemented by UNDPO ART GOLD Lebanon programme.

The establishment of the Primary Health care center in Al Qaser falls within the 2009-2010 strategic objectives of UNDP ART GOLD Lebanon; in particular the objective to increase access to quality social services with focus on Primary Health care in the Bekaa.
The implementation of this project aims to provide medical services to the local community of Al Qaser and the seven neighboring villages. The PHCC will provide preventive and medical services for the local & regional community at minimum fees with access to several health specialists such as pediatric, dentist, gynecologist, etc.

The Construction of the Trout Fish Processing and Smoking Plant aims to restore the livelihoods of small and medium size trout farmers. Furthermore the project will help complement the production cycle and provide better marketing opportunities for trout farmers through the creation of a year round production of processed trout meat.
A total of 148 trout fish farmers over the Assi River will benefit for this project which will also provide an additional source of income for the Union of municipalities to be further invested in sustaining and upgrading this activity.

Funded by Austria, “Al Sindyan” Women’s Association for food processing Center is providing permanent job opportunities to 20 women in addition to the provision of seasonal job opportunities to local citizens.

The First Secretary at the Sapnish Embassy Mr. Rafael Reig expressed the interest and commitment of the Government of Spain to the development of all the Lebanese regions. Mr. Reig said that Spain increased its partnership and assistance to Lebanon after the July 2006 not only to boost the reconstruction process but also towards local development initiatives. He added that the PHCC project in Al Qaser is a part of a broader picture of the Spanish cooperation in Lebanon targeting the health sector, one of the country’s main priorities.
In his speech, Mr. Lutz assured Austria’s commitment to initiate more development projects in the country and to enforce the development process in the Hermel region.

H.E. Mr. Al Sahili highlighted the challenges facing the Hermel caza, one of the most deprived areas in Lebanon. H.E. expressed his gratitude to the donor countries and to the UNDP and assured the citizens’ willingness to cooperate with the donor parties in projects that will boost the recovery process of the region.
UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Marta Ruedas shed the lights on UNDP’s intervention and recovery efforts to alleviate the negative effect of the 2006 conflict on the villages of Bekaa including the Caza of Hermel. She noted that projects have been implemented in more than 54 villages in the Bekaa from Rashaya and West Bekaa to Baalbeck and Hermel aiming at assisting municipalities to re-build infrastructure such as bridges, roads, electric and water networks, and the local communities to restore their livelihoods.
Ms. Ruedas concluded her speech by thanking all who contributed to the successful implementation of these projects, assuring that UNDP will continue its efforts, with the donor community to support local and economic development in the Hermel region as well as other deprived regions of Lebanon.