Presentation of the Polish Aid projects in Lebanon 2020 - 2021
28.02.2022
On February 28th, 2022 the Ambassador of Poland to Lebanon Mr. Przemysław Niesiołowski held the event entitled: Presentation of the Polish Aid projects in Lebanon 2020 - 2021.
The event took place in the presence of Mrs. Ola Boutros, The Adviser to the Minister of Social Affairs of the Lebanese Republic, Ms. Taina Christiansen, Head of UN-Habitat Country Programme, Beirut FER commander Brigadier General Fouad Obeid, Father Joseph Bou Raad General Assistant to the General Superior of the Antonine Order, Father Abbot Maroun Abou Jaoude, CIMIC Team from Polish UNIFIL troops, representatives of Lebanese NGO’s and Polish Aid Partners in Lebanon.
Since 2019, Lebanon has been a priority country for the Polish Aid development assistance. In total, in the years 2019-2021, over USD 3 million was allocated for this purpose. The priority sectors financed by Polish Aid development cooperation include: supporting human capital, improving the quality, conditions and access to education, environmental protection, improving waste management, fire protection, health, increased access to water and sanitary infrastructure and limiting the effects of climate change, as well as the development of entrepreneurship and the private sector by ensuring access to high-quality technical and vocational education.
The Polish Aid humanitarian assistance for Lebanese in need as well as Syrian refugees in Lebanon is the largest Polish humanitarian aid program in the Middle East in terms of duration and total value. In recent years our assistance was provided to over 60 thousand displaced Syrians and over 25 thousand Lebanese. Its total value since July 2012 to December 2021 is over USD 11 million. Polish Aid humanitarian assistance was directed to shelter, access to basic health care, improvement of living conditions, access to education and improvement of fire safety of informal settlements.
Since 2018, Poland has donated over USD 1.6 million to UN-HABITAT program in Lebanon, aiming at improving the living conditions of the population of Burj Hammoud Municipality.
Poland also contributes to the Economic Resilience Initiative (ERI) as part of the activities undertaken by the European Investment Bank (EIB). By making a payment of EUR 50 million, Poland became the Fund's largest contributor (ERIF). In November 2018, the ERIF committee approved the project "Investment Grant for Greater Tripoli Basin Wastewater Networks - Lebanon", which involves the expansion of the water and sewage system in and around the city of Tripoli.
The event was accompanied by the presence of Lebanese media and local NGO’s.
