Embassy of Japan, UNDP and UNHCR conduct a joint field mission to Qabb Elias, Bekaa
On September 19, 2016, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Embassy of Japan conducted joint field visit to Qabb Elias, Bekaa. The purpose was to monitor the impact of Emergency Grant Aid, of US$ 2 million, provided by the Government of Japan to UNDP and UNHCR in response to the needs of host communities and the Syrian refugees in Lebanon. This visit coincided with the UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants that was taking place in New York.
Since the Syrian crisis began in 2011, over one million Syrian refugees have been registered with UNHCR in Lebanon. Approximately 35 per cent of the registered Syrian refugees reside in the Bekaa and Baalbek/Hermel Governorates. Since the beginning of the crisis, the population in Qabb Elias, 11,244, has more than doubled with the addition of 22,600 Syrian refugees. This has resulted in a substantial increase in pressure on local infrastructure, which was already strained prior to the crisis.
“Amid the protracted crisis, we need longer term solution that benefits both refugees and host communities. In a bid to strengthen the linkages between humanitarian aid and development cooperation, the Government of Japan announced the Emergency Grant Aid to Lebanon one year ago. Today, we are witnessing the result of the assistance.”, said H. E. Seiichi Otsuka, the Ambassador of Japan to Lebanon. Click here for more information.
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Ambassador Otsuka, with the UNDP Country Director, the President of the Municipality of Qabb Elias, and government representatives, at the inauguration of the irrigation canals |
Ambassador Otsuka visiting the UNHCR Community Center in Qabb Elias village |
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A farmer demonstrating how to control the water flow in the newly inaugurated irrigation canals |
ROV volunteers sharing testimonials and explaining why they joined the program |