The Lebanese Organization for Studies and Training (LOST) celebrated the delivery of three garbage trucks, delivered by the Japanese government to the union of municipalities of Deir Al Ahmar, Bouday, and Nabi Othman. This event took place in the presence of the Japanese ambassador, HE Mr. Matahiro Yamaguchi, founder of LOST, Dr. Ramy Lakkis, municipal members and representatives, and social figures.
Dr. Ramy Lakkis delivered a speech, in which he thanked the ambassador of Japan and the Japanese government for the garbage trucks. Dr. Lakkis stated, “there is a serious waste problem in Lebanon, and Baalbeck-Hermel particularly”. Dr. Lakkis also pointed out that there is a three-fold higher incidence of cancer, between 2006 and 2016, and therefore a higher cost of treatment through the Ministry of Health. “Pollution is the responsibility of all of us, not the responsibility of the state or the municipalities alone”, Dr. Lakkis explained.
“The provision of the trucks for the transportation of waste does not solve the problem; the treatment begins by sorting from the source”, Dr. Lakkis emphasized. He further explained that we, as a society, have taken a decision to help the municipalities fill in any gaps in their capabilities and abilities, which in turn should cooperate with citizens. Municipalities should have an integrated vision to deal with their waste, and that the concerned teams should enter the homes of citizens and educate them in schools and universities, so that every citizen raises awareness about sorting from the source. “At the level of the organization, we know the size of the problem, and we are preparing a study on how to treat waste”, Dr. Lakkis stated.
“With the new trucks, the municipalities will be able to provide better services to help solve the problem of waste, encourage recycling, and contribute to the flourishing of tourism”, HE, Mr. Matahiro Yamaguchi stated. Mr. Yamaguchi praised LOST for its outstanding efforts in supporting the population in Baalbeck-Hermel, and explained that the government of Japan will continue to support development projects and to provide assistance to Lebanese communities, to strengthen ties between Lebanon and Japan.
Engineer Mohammad Amhaz delivered a presentation explaining the process of integrated management of solid household waste, which was followed by a discussion and dialogue with Dr. Lakkis and Mr. Yamaguchi. The ceremony ended by delivering the trucks to the representatives of the municipalities.
