February 24th, 2016Fully aware of the deteriorating economic status in Beqaa region, especially after the huge Syrian influx since 2011, the German ambassador “Martin Hoth” accepted LOST’s invitation to visit the region to meet with local municipality members and mayors to discuss tangible problems faced.
On February 24th 2016 Mr. Hoth visited Bednayel area where he met with mayors and municipality members of Baalbeck-Hermel governorate at the Lebanese Organization for Studies and Training (LOST) center in Bednayel in the presence of LOST’s founder Dr. Rami Lakkis.
The meeting concentrated on the municipalities’ needs pertaining to their experience with the Syrian refugees. It resulted in a list of recommendations regarding infrastructure, electricity, water and waste management issues.
Municipality members assured that financial support can help face any urgent situation and lessen tension between the Lebanese hosts and the Syrian refugees. They also noted to the importance of having a well-organized monitoring system in Syrian camps, similar to those in Jordan, which would greatly help reduce conflict. The mayors and municipality members attending the meeting pointed as well to the need of easily accessible medical centers around refugee’s camps in order to ease off transportation costs for them. They finally stated that the lack of coordination between LNGOs and INGOs is also causing misdistribution in the humanitarian assistance.
After the presentation and discussion of needs, the meeting ended up with a decision that it would be best to back up municipalities by initiating “Sistership Programs” between the Lebanese and German organizations/ municipalities.
Shall it succeed, such a step would found for extensive cooperation between local and international organizations, and could solve crucial problems caused by the Syrian influx within the Lebanese society.
