Lebanon’s water issues have been going on for a while. It is now the time when all are invited to work together to achieve a better water situation. In this context, the Lebanese Organization of Studies and Training (LOST) arranged a conference entitled “Constructing a Common Vision and Strategy in Response to the Water Issues in Baalbeck-Hermel” to create a multi-actor interaction between local municipalities, official government authorities, and international bodies to envision the current situation in Baalbeck-Hermel pertaining to the local development including water quantity, quality, and revenue techniques and to frame a future response plan. The conference was conducted on Wednesday, November 30, 2016 in Baalbeck, and included the launching of the Liaison and Development Office (LDO) that works as a linking centre between the developmental needs of the region and the donors for a fast and effective response.
The First Session
In the opening session, Dr Ramy Lakkis, the founder of LOST, highlighted the importance of partnership between municipalities, donors and governmental institutions in order to alleviate the water challenges in Baalbeck-Hermel the upcoming years. “Nobody can be effective when alone; we all need to seek our share of responsibility,” he said.
The governor of Baalbeck-Hermel, Mr. Bashir Khodor, revealed that the water situation is disastrous. “Some farmers are now using sewage water for irrigation,” he said. Sewage remains the primary pollutant of the Lebanese water, yet where does the health of the citizens and Syrian refugees stand?
Chasper Sarrot, the representative of the Swiss Embassy in Beirut, stated that Switzerland is eager to support the water projects in Lebanon. The main goal is to enhance resilient sustainable management of the water resources. “Switzerland believes in the importance of the partnership between public institutions, municipalities and donors to achieve the goal of a better water situation,” he ensured.
The Second Session
Mr. Maroon Msallem, Chairman and the General Manager of Bekaa Water Establishment, explained the establishment’s policies, mandate, services, and organization. He also offered corporation with all municipalities that provide a minimum wage of revenue.
Dr. Nadeem Farajallah, the Director of Climate Change and Environment Program in the American University of Beirut (AUB), explained how environment changes are affecting the water resources in Lebanon. He provided multiple suggestions on how people can play a role in the water problem and how they can adapt by choosing plantation that does not require a lot of water in Baalbeck-Hermel.
The Third Session
Jacco Bos, First Secretary in the Dutch Embassy in Lebanon, expressed the Netherland’s intention to engage with Lebanon in the water field in partnership with municipalities. He also spoke about a project the Dutch water mission is working on in relation to the pollution of Litany River, with the hope of the river retaining its glamour.
Luciano Calestini, UNICEF Deputy Representative, enforced the idea that Lebanon is in a silent water disaster and a solution needs to be implemented. Half of the population in Baalbeck-Hermel area including Lebanese families and Syrian refugees do not have access to safe water. “It is very important for safe water to be recognized as a right and not a privilege,” he said.
Gebran Azar, Water Projects Coordinator in UNDP, clarified the projects worked on by the Lebanese Host Communities Support Project implemented by the UNDP in partnership with the Ministry of Social affairs, which are mainly oriented toward water and waste water projects.
Lucas Beck, from the Swiss Embassy- International Cooperation Division Head of Project Office Zahle, mentioned that a key portion of the targeted areas of intervention are waste water management and water quality.
LOST’s conference is the first platform in Baalbeck-Hermel putting municipalities, governmental authorities, local stakeholders, and international bodies together to voice the water vulnerabilities of the region. It was also an opportunity to launch the LDO as a key linking junction between the region’s needs and the donors to ensure a better life for the Lebanese communities and the Syrian refugees.
