Nehna Ahl is the Arabic term of we are family, it also happens to be the name LOST and UNDP adopted for their pioneer initiative to jump start coexistence in Northern Bekaa. The innovative project is a reach out to Ersal and neighboring villages, an area that was recently traumatized by secular hostility and an outbreak of violence. This reach out jumps to say we have coexisted for thousands of years, married into one another and lived gracefully together, it targets key stakeholders from both societies to work together and reflect on their societies, especially youth in a process of renovating bridges.
Features of the project have already set pace such as the unique event that occurred in Hermel on the 13th of November, 2014. Youth from Ersal, Hermel, Labweh, Ein and Fekeha met together to “Draw Peace” in Hermel; It was the first meeting after the “Ersal problems”. At first, they looked strangers, typical stereotypes of a sectarian post-conflict engagement, two hours later they were engaged in serious discussions about their role in making civil peace. Youth from Ersel said their parents did not like them to come to Hermel and they did not imagine “they can make it soon” but they did it !!!… They did it because Nehna Ahl helped them come and see a different image of “the other”. But all that might have never taken place without an angel of peace dubbed UNDP.
