BEIRUT – UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency and its partner INTERSOS, today handed over 350 solar-powered streetlights that were installed in the town of Sed El Baushrieh, Mount Lebanon. The ceremony was attended by the mayor of the town Mr. Antoine Gebara, the Beirut-Mount Lebanon regional coordinator for the Ministry of Social Affairs, Mr. Amir Mounif, and members of UNHCR’s partner INTERSOS. The project is providing sustained electricity to at least 82,000 residents living in the town.
The solar streetlights, which provide a sustainable lighting solution, increase safety for the residents of Sed El Baushrieh municipality.
“Streetlights are essential in reducing security risks. They help enhance road safety for both drivers and pedestrians, reduce GBV risks, and decrease thefts. Students, women and children can now feel safer when walking in the streets after dark,” said Frederic Cussigh, UNHCR Head of Office in Beirut and Mount Lebanon. “Importantly, the municipality’s commitment in taking on part of the installation of the lights contributes to the sustainability of the project, as municipal employees are better equipped to perform maintenance works in the coming years,” he added.
This project is among several UNHCR interventions that aim to provide solutions to Lebanon’s energy crisis and that are having a positive impact on people across Lebanon. In 2022, over 480,000 individuals, Lebanese and refugees, benefited from UNHCR projects in the Beirut and Mount Lebanon regions alone. In addition to Sed El Baushrieh, UNHCR has also installed solar streetlights in Naameh, Sebline and the old airport road, protecting residents from risks. Small businesses have also benefited from the streetlights as they allow them to operate for longer hours.
“We are grateful for this support from UNHCR and its partners. This is the most impactful project implemented in our municipality to date, and it was very much needed”, said Mayor Antoine
Gebara.
As part of its ongoing support to communities across Lebanon, throughout 2022, UNHCR and partners have implemented innovative solutions through over 74 community support projects. These projects have increased Lebanese and refugees’ access to sustainable energy by providing solar-powered electricity to primary healthcare centres, governmental hospitals, water establishment stations and streetlights, benefiting over 1.5 million persons in more than 84 villages across the country.
UNHCR has been supporting Lebanese institutions and communities since 2011, including 655 community support projects to upgrade public infrastructure in towns and villages across Lebanon.
For more information on this topic, please contact:
• Lisa Abou Khaled, [email protected] +961 71 880 070
• Dalal Harb, [email protected] + 961 70 113 107
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