BEIRUT – UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency and its partners INTERSOS and SHEILD today inaugurated two projects benefiting more than 15,000 residents of Douair and Nmairiyeh villages in the Nabatieh governorate, South Lebanon. Through these projects, two solar-powered supply systems now operate the pumps in the water wells that provide the inhabitants of both villages and adjacent areas with sustainable safe drinking water.
The ceremonies were attended by Mr. Ali Zbib, Mayor of Nmairiyeh, Mr. Mohamed Kanso, Mayor of Douair, and Mr. Francis Teoh, UNHCR Head of Office in Tyre.
“These two projects, like many others that UNHCR has implemented in the south and across Lebanon, provide essential and safe drinking water to people living in the areas. More than 13,000 Lebanese and 2,000 refugees are benefitting from sustained access to clean water through these two projects,” said Francis Teoh, UNHCR Head of Office in Tyre.
In Nmairiyeh, the water pumping station supplies safe and clean water to over 8,500 residents of Nmairiyeh village, including supply for health centers and a public school. The project significantly reduced pollution and decreased the costs related to water supply in the village.
“After two very difficult years, the project gave hope to the village. Having access to clean water is a basic human right. The impact of this project is critical not only to ensure that the residents of Nmairiyeh can have water in their homes, but also, to ensure that health centres, institutions and schools have sustained clean water,” said Mr. Ali Zbib, Mayor of Nmairiyeh.
In Douair, the water pumping station supplies potable water to over 6,500 residents, including supply for health centers, the Civil Defense Center, the Internal Security Forces Headquarters and a public school.
“Before this UNHCR project, the water station had to shut down for long intervals and was unable to supply water to the residents of the area on a regular basis. Now, thanks to this project, residents in the area have regular access to clean water. We used to suffer from a major water crisis, but with the project contributed positively to solving the problem,” said Mohamed Kanso, Mayor of Douair.
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.
Over the past 12 months, over 60,000 individuals, Lebanese and refugees, benefited from UNHCR projects in south Lebanon alone.
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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