Lazzarini from Tripoli: UN to Support Vulnerable Lebanese and Ensure Opportunities to Youth

United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Philippe Lazzarini commended initiatives that contribute to maintaining peace and stability in Lebanon especially in areas that have witnessed consecutive rounds of clashes like Tripoli, an OCHA statement said.

“The UN will continue to support vulnerable Lebanese communities and present the youth with opportunities, especially in impoverished areas like Tripoli’s Beb El Tebbaneh,” said Lazzarini during the inauguration of the renovated Souk Beb El Dahab in Tripoli on 2 April.

“Former young fighters, who have perhaps contributed to the damage of this area, have worked hand in hand on its reconstruction, overcoming years of divide, stereotypes, hatred, and economic decline. Isn’t this the Lebanon we all aspire to?” he added.

The Lebanon Humanitarian Fund has joined efforts with the British Embassy to support the non-governmental organization MARCH in renovating 100 shops in Tripoli’s Souk Beb El Dahab, which were heavily damaged by armed clashes and years of neglect.

MARCH recruited 80 young former fighters to carry out the renovation works under the supervision of experienced foremen, architects and engineers and trained 18 young women from the area on graphic design and marketing for the project. This initiative is part of MARCH’s three year plan to counter conflict and radicalization of youth in Lebanon.

“It is our collective responsibility to stand by Lebanon and ensure sustainable solutions to this country’s challenges, especially amidst the Syria crisis,” Lazzarini said, adding that “the inauguration of Souk Beb El Dahab marks a new chapter for an entire community that, for years, was torn by poverty, violence and conflict. It is a clear demonstration of how investing in the youth of Lebanon is key to a more productive, peaceful, tolerant and dynamic society.”

The Lebanon Humanitarian Fund is managed by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Lebanon.

This year, the Fund has allocated more than USD 2 million in support of similar projects that promote social stability and livelihoods across Lebanon.

Overall, the fund has contributed around USD 33 million to meet humanitarian and stabilization needs of the most vulnerable communities in Lebanon including Lebanese, Syrians and Palestinians.