The Food for Assets project implemented by the Lebanese Organization for Studies and Training (LOST) in partnership with the World Food Program (WFP) was launched in March, 2020 and aims to rehabilitate and construct 4,092 meters of irrigation canals, 1,450 meters of storm water drainage and 1,944 meters of agricultural roads.
The main goal of this project is to improve the lives of 660 participants, increase their food security, and improve the agricultural situation in Baalbeck-Hermel.
In this project, Lebanese and Syrians participated for the same reason, and they worked in groups, which will lead to improve their relationship and to accept one another. For example, Syrian and Lebanese women have started to prepare the “Mouneh” (winter food) together after work.
Besides the social cohesion, the participants are developing their skills in the construction activities. They are learning from the engineer and skilled foremen new tasks that helped them find a new job in construction. Saleh Antar El Zeidan, a Syrian refugee who worked with LOST in phase 1 and 2, stated that participating in this project has allowed him to work as a freelancer in construction.
In addition, women make up 50% of the project and they have a very essential role. They worked in groups with men, so they improved their self-confidence, the team work, and increased the productivity and the efficiency of the work. On the other hand, some of them, such as Nahla El Chall gained experience in construction, and now she is repairing the damage in their home.
On the agricultural level, the beneficiaries will start to benefit from the project after the work is completed. For example, LOST team is constructing a retaining wall and an agricultural wall in Basatin. This activity helped in expanding the road and prevented soil erosion, which allowed the beneficiaries to plant their lands.
