Lebanon

UNDP launches new projects in Beirut Southern Suburbs

The United Nations Development Programme organized a field visit to Haret Hreik and the Ouzai port on Tuesday 15th of December 2009 to launch a number of projects that aim to restore lives and livelihoods in the region. 

UNDP’s country director, Mr. Seifiddine Abbaro, with Mr. Gerhard Lutz the chargé d’affaires of the Austrian embassy and head of Haret Hreik and Bourj Barajneh municipalities inaugurated the Vocational training center and the permanent market for homemade goods in Haret Hreik in the presence of the beneficiaries. 

Around 150 persons, mainly youth and women, will be trained on different vocational activities and occupational skills such as catering, designing clothes, construction and general works. 

“Women play an important role in the society, and it is important to strengthen her capacities. The permanent market for women’s homemade product will help these women and different cooperatives to sell and display their handmade and homemade products “said the mayor of Haret Hreik, Mr. Samir Daccache. 

“These projects create job opportunities in the region especially for women and unemployed youth” explained Mr. Abbaro who also thanked the Austrian government, the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) for their generous contribution in these projects. 

After delivering speeches, Mr. Abbaro , Mr. Lutz and mayor of Haret Hreik distributed tools, equipments and laptops provided by Austria to heads of 64 small and medium enterprises affected by the July war.
In the Ouzai port, the UNDP inaugurated the sewage system station funded by SIDA, the Kuwaiti Fund and the municipality of Borj el Barajneh.
This sewage system station will help re-channeling the current system of Ouzai to be discharged outside the port in an adequate source to prevent the significant damages on the socio-economic conditions of the 800 fishermen of the Ouzai port.