Bekaa – Today, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, together with its partner Save the Children, inaugurated a solar energy project to provide electricity to the Regional Civil Defense Center in Zahle, which provides services in all of the Bekaa, in addition to a water pump to supply civil defense trucks of more than ten civil defense centers affiliated with the Bekaa Regional Center.
The celebration was attended by His Excellency the Governor of Bekaa, Judge Kamal Abu Joudeh, represented by the Head of the Governorate Department, Mr. Rawad Salloum, Governor of Zahle and Bekaa for the Syriac Orthodox Mar Justinus Boulos Safar, Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Baridi, representing His Eminence the Mufti of Zahle and Bekaa, Sheikh Dr. Ali Al-Ghazawi, Governor of the Metropolitan Diocese of Zahle and Baalbek and its Dependencies for the Greek Orthodox Antonios Al-Souri, represented by His Holiness the Most Reverend Ephrem Habtout, President of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Zahle and Bekaa, Mr. Youssef Jeha, President of the Zahle Traders Association, Mr. Ziad Saadeh, Deputy Mayor of Zahle, Dr. Joseph Al-Jalkh, representing the Mayor Mr. Asaad Zgheib, Head of the Bekaa Regional Center, Fayez Al-Chakieh, representing the Director General of Civil Defense, Brigadier General Raymond Khattar, Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Lebanon, Mr. Ivo Freijsen, Head of the UNHCR Office in Bekaa, Miss Margaret Nowak, Director of the Baalbek and Albek-Hermel Region of Save the Children Association Mr. Ryan Al-Hajj, the representative of the Director of the Baalbek region in the Islamic Health Authority of Civil Defense, Mr. Mohammad Sabra.
UNHCR Representative in Lebanon, Ivo Freijsen, said that “UNCHR will continue to call for additional support from the international community to stand by Lebanon and its people.” Freijsen added: “Since 2013, UNHCR Bekaa has supported host communities and institutions with projects worth over USD 14.2 million. These projects aim to support Lebanese institutions and communities in addressing the challenges posed by hosting large numbers of refugees, and mitigating the impact of the socio-economic crisis on the people in Lebanon. UNHCR continues to call for support from the international community to stand by Lebanon and its people. Lebanon should not be forgotten. And we hope that possibilities for voluntary return will increase through improved conditions in Syria.” Freijsen continued: “Amid these difficult times, I reiterate UNHCR’s commitment to continue to stand with Lebanon. Since our funding levels are declining we call on donors to stay the course.”
He continued: “Here in Zahle we installed solar panels and a water pump to ensure the Civil Defense has the critical support needed to continue doing their lifesaving work. This builds on earlier support to Civil Defense, including medical supplies, new firefighter uniforms, maintenance of fire trucks and ambulances, and the rehabilitation of the Bar Elias Civil Defense centre.”
According to the Head of the Bekaa Regional Center, Fayez Al-Chakieh: “UNHCR and Save the Children in Lebanon have sought to mitigate the difficult conditions faced by the Civil Defense heroes in order to remain fully prepared in their centers – day and night – to ensure the security and safety of the citizens.”
Al-Chakieh continued: “Thanks to this UNHCR-funded project, we achieved the installation of solar energy systems consisting of 48 solar panels and their accessories placed on the Bekaa Regional Center’s roof, in addition to securing a water pump to supply the Civil Defense trucks, contributing to enhancing personnel services, motivating them to continue performing their humanitarian and national work, which has reflected positively on the security and safety of the residents.”
As part of its ongoing support to communities across Lebanon, throughout 2023, UNHCR and partners have implemented innovative solutions through 58 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 66 towns and villages across the country.
In 2023 alone, more than 18 village, municipalities and cities benefited from UNHCR projects in Bekaa alone.
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