On March 5th, 2015, the Lebanese Organization of Studies and Training (LOST) hosted the German ambassador in Lebanon Christian Clages at its offices in Bednayel. The visit aimed at introducing his Excellency and his team to LOST and its projects, getting in-depth knowledge about LOSTs partnerships with forum ZFD, one of the world’s leading German INGOS in the field of peace building, and meeting some mayors and key municipality members from the region to assess the impact of Humanitarian assistance on the hosting community.
Doctor Ramy Lakkis, the founder of LOST, extensively explained LOST’s vision and intervention in the Syrian crisis in northern Bekaa. He then introduced the objectives and mandate of this full-blown partnership with forum ZFD which represents a role model for any similar partnership between international entities and local actors. The Ambassador then met mayors and municipal council members from Bednayel, Tamnin Al Fawka, Hawsh Al Rafka, Saaydee, Chmestar, and Hadath Baalbeck. During the meeting, these local officials mentioned several issues that are causing tension between Syrian refugees and the Lebanese hosting community in Baalbeck-Hermel region. They stressed that the high influx of Syrian refugees to Northern Bekaa¸ which is often times exceeding the number of the local habitants, is causing pressure on the already weak infrastructure and natural resources. Other problems brought up to discussion by the attendees ranged from health issues and lack of treatment facilities to over-loaded educational facilities and strained human development. They also asked for help in the domain of waste disposal, which has become a great burden with the increase of population. Some mayors had critical concerns on the inability of INGOs in helping and supporting Municipal intervention at the local level be it humanitarian assistance, service delivery, or even securitization.
His Excellency listened in details to the complaints and promised to provide all possible help. Simultaneously, he asserted that the local representatives also have a major role to play in the process. He finally congratulated the representatives for their continued efforts and explained that he will get in touch with the active INGOs especially UNHCR to advocate for a more inclusive role for municipal institutions in any local intervention.
