Beirut: On 18 November, nine new humanitarian emergency projects were launched in Lebanon, financed by the Italian Cooperation for a total amount of 5,400,000 euros. Italy, already greatly committed at the political level first to attaining, and now to consolidating the ceasefire, thus reaffirms its historic support for the country’s civilian population. The call, launched within an extremely short time to ensure a prompt response, is part of a larger framework of interventions, worth 28 million euros, aimed not only at reducing the impact of the humanitarian crisis caused by the conflict, but also at strengthening Lebanese institutions.

According to National News Agency – Lebanon, the approved interventions cover a large scale of needs, including WASH (health and hygiene), protection services, basic care, food security, and housing needs. In partnership with public institutions and local partners, the Civil Society Organisations that won the call for proposals (Oxfam, AVSI, CESVI, We World-GVC, Intersos, Te
rre Des Hommes Italia, Azione Contro la Fame, AISPO, and ARCS) will carry out the activities for a period of four months, covering a significant part of the Lebanese territory with particular attention to people in the most vulnerable conditions.

Fabrizio Marcelli, Italian Ambassador to Lebanon, stated, “Now more than ever, Italy stands by Lebanon and the Lebanese people. These new projects represent an immediate and concrete response to the growing needs of the people who have suffered the consequences of the conflict. They are part of a broader framework of support for the country’s development, which is also reflected in the qualified contribution of the Italian armed forces within UNIFIL and in support of the LAF.”

Alessandra Piermattei, Head of the AICS office in Beirut, emphasizes that “Italian Cooperation will support the distribution of food aid, inclusive access to shelters, and capacity building of local institutions. Over 300,000 people will benefit from the interventions, which will last for fou
r months.”