USAID head in Lebanon to discuss support for population

Samantha Power, the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), arrived in Lebanon Tuesday for a three-day visit focused on “providing support to the Lebanese people, particularly those impacted by the country’s economic and humanitarian crisis,” the U.S. Embassy said.

“More than half of Lebanese households are in need of some form of food assistance -- a situation that has been exacerbated by (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s war against Ukraine. This also has a negative impact on the millions of refugees Lebanon graciously continues to host,” the Embassy added in a statement.

During her trip, the Administrator will engage with Lebanese government and business leaders to press for urgent reforms and policies, and will also meet with those working to combat corruption and strengthen the private sector. In addition, Administrator Power will meet with Lebanese and Syrian students, and Syrian refugees and residents from Lebanese host communities to convey “the United States’ continued support.”

Power will also visit USAID projects aimed at building sustainable food systems and projects that harness renewable energy to provide drinking water to communities in need, highlighting USAID’s efforts to address the impacts of climate change in advance of her travel to Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt for the Conference of Parties (COP27).