UN Special Coordinator visits Bekaa and Baalbek  

United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka on Thursday visited the Bekaa and Baalbek. She met with local Lebanese authorities, the UNHCR Lebanon Representative and visited a UNHCR community support project.

In Baalbek, the Special Coordinator met with Governor Bashir Khodr, the Head of Municipality Mustafa al-Shall as well as the Head of the Union of Municipalities of Baalbek, Shafik Shehadeh. The discussions focused on the political, security, social and economic situation in that area that has been impacted by the country’s political and socio-economic crisis. They also discussed next year’s municipal elections.

Highlighting the importance of ongoing cooperation between the U.N. and Lebanese authorities, particularly in response to the growing needs of the population, the Special Coordinator emphasized that, “Baalbek like other Lebanese areas would benefit from the implementation of much needed reforms in Lebanon and fully functional State institutions that deliver to the people.”

The Special Coordinator toured a water treatment station in Hawsh Tal Safiyeh for which a solar system has been provided by UNHCR. The mayor of Hawsh Tal Safiyeh, Abbas Moawiyah, explained that the treatment system provides clean, potable water for more than 4,000 Lebanese and refugees living in surrounding villages.

During a visit to a UNHCR center in Zahle, UNHCR Representative in Lebanon Ivo Freijsen and UNHCR field staff also briefed the Special Coordinator on the importance of continued support from the international community to maintain critical assistance to both Lebanese and Syrian refugees, as well as community and institutional support to help improve delivery of municipal and other basic services.

Underlining the importance of strengthening Lebanese state institutions and “leaving no one behind,” the Special Coordinator reiterated the U.N.’s “commitment to continue supporting Lebanon and its people,” a statement issued by her office said.