UK Deputy Ambassador and Development Director Visit Akkar
UK Deputy Ambassador to Lebanon, Alyson King, and Development and Humanitarian Director, Lucy Andrews, visited UK-funded projects in Akkar under the Lebanon Host Community Support Program (LHSP) in partnership with UNDP and the Ministry of Social Affairs.
From Bebnine to Halba and Qobayat, they heard from local partners and beneficiaries about “the positive impact UK Aid is having on their lives during very challenging times,” a British embassy statement said.
The UK has been one of the primary supporters to the LHSP program since 2014, reaching vulnerable communities across Lebanon with over $94 million. In Akkar, $15m has been spent on projects which benefit the most vulnerable Lebanese and refugees.
LHSP projects in the area include essential COVID Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) production, agricultural roads and forest management activities that create much needed jobs for the most vulnerable, including women and persons with disabilities, build skills, protect health and improve accessibility and protection of natural resources.
Marzouka Abbas one of the beneficiaries who learned how to produce PPE Equipment said: “My participation supported me financially, psychologically and socially. It enabled me to help my family and my sick husband during the hard times. I acquired a new skill through which I am earning an income daily, sewing and upcycling for my neighbors. I would love to take part in more empowering interventions to upgrade my know-how and advance my skills.”
They also met with Governor of Akkar and Mayors from the region for a brief on the situation in the area and the challenges they are facing.
At Akkar Network for Development (AND) NGO, Co-founder and Chevening Alumna Nadine Saba gave an overview of the work they have been doing in the area since 2011. AND is focused on supporting vulnerable women, youth and children including tackling gender based violence, providing Basic Literacy and Numeracy for children and youth and psycho-social support.
Deputy Ambassador Alyson and Development Director Lucy also met with female candidates running in the upcoming parliamentary elections from the area. The UK is supporting U.N.-Women program to empower women for a more active role in public and political life.
At the end of the visit Deputy Ambassador Alyson King said: “Pleased to have the opportunity to visit Akkar, and to see and hear from the people, our partners and officials about the challenges they are facing in these difficult economic times and also how some of the initiatives the UK is supporting are helping people in the area.”
“I was also pleased to visit and hear about work tackling Gender Based Violence. We know that more women and girls are experiencing violence as a result of Lebanon’s crises. So it’s important that we all step up efforts to prevent and respond to violence, with our partners,” King added.
“We also had the opportunity to meet with talented women from Akkar who will be running in May’s parliamentary elections. Lebanon’s women and men should have an equal place at the table when decisions are taken. That’s why we work with U.N. Women to support women to become change agents in their respective communities, and ensure more female representation in public and political life,” King went on to say.