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Lebanon
>> Regional Overview >> Lebanon Overview ACTIVITY DATA SHEET
PROGRAM: Lebanon
TITLE and NUMBER: Improved Environmental Practices, 268-005
STATUS: Continuing
PLANNED FY 2001 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $6,478,000 ESF
PROPOSED FY 2002 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $5,000,000 ESF
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1995 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2004Summary: Lebanon's civil war took its toll on the environment, with virtually unrestricted exploitation of fragile forest resources. Post-war construction booms increased the pressure on land and water resources in many areas of the country. Pollution of water resources is a major problem, as is urban pollution, mostly from unleaded gas and low-quality diesel. Nevertheless, with the exception of areas subject to urban sprawl, much of the environmental damage is reparable if measures to mitigate it are taken now. This special objective proposes to do that by helping the Lebanese better understand their environmental problems, point the way to policy reforms, and illustrate selected environmental solutions through demonstration activities at national and local levels. Thousands of families in rural as well as urban areas will benefit from more sustainable land use, clean water and reduced pollution as they develop their ability to manage environmental resources.
Since 1995, USAID has provided funding to the American University of Beirut (AUB) to equip and organize its Core Environmental Laboratory and to establish an inter-disciplinary research, teaching, and outreach program comprised of public health, engineering, and agricultural professionals. The laboratory gives AUB the capacity to test water, soil and hazardous substances; monitor air pollution; and provide policy and technical leadership on some of Lebanon's most pressing environmental problems. The program also established a Water Resources Center to study the country's surface and subsurface water resources, which will provide needed data and analysis to decision-makers. Under its economic agricultural sustainability pilot activity, AUB is analyzing farming systems in the Yammouneh region to determine an optimum cropping pattern for new crops that are economically feasible, marketable, and environmentally sound. If successful, this could be replicated in other areas.
Beginning in 1997, USAID included environmental activities under the rural community development program, focusing on integrated water resource management activities (mainly solid/liquid waste disposal and treatment pilot projects). These have benefits at both the national and community levels by demonstrating low-cost methodologies for waste disposal and treatment, as well as productive agriculture that is environmentally sustainable. Sustained community action and dissemination of the results and methods are showing that local solutions can be replicated on a national scale.
In 1998, USAID integrated a new humanitarian demining initiative within this objective. The activity builds on Department of Defense physical demining support provided to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) by focusing on awareness and prevention of landmine injuries, as well as landmine victims' assistance, through a consortium of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and community-based organizations.
Key Results: Limited resources have prevented this objective from reaching its full potential; there was no FY 2000 obligation for this program. Despite this, USAID, through its private voluntary organization partners, has begun educating communities about environmental problems and improving their capabilities to manage environmental conditions in a more efficient way. USAID partners have also pioneered some innovative solutions that can be replicated by the Lebanese government and other donors. For example, since 1998, USAID has completed five waste management projects in rural clusters, one of which is considered by experts as truly innovative and efficient; it is drawing attention from numerous other communities.
Through its landmines accident prevention program, USAID has pioneered techniques for increasing awareness of landmines and treating landmine victims. USAID also financed a comprehensive nationwide survey of landmine victims and locations that now serves as the basis for national demining operations. The survey also indirectly supports military efforts to remove landmines through cooperation, advice and exchange of data and information. The ultimate goal is the clearing of minefields and the reopening of currently unusable land for development and agricultural production.
Performance and Prospects:
The information provided below is illustrative.
AUB Environmental Activities: The proposed FY 2001 obligation is $500,000 ESF. Implementation of AUB activities is being delayed in order to refocus the program away from academia and toward research results that can influence private and public decision-making for the country at large. The program also needs to improve its analytic substance and community outreach. To do this, USAID funds will be used to link the university more closely to community development needs in areas of environmental management, water resources, and agriculture. It is important that AUB use the full potential of the Core Environmental Laboratory and Water Resources Center to establish linkages with other USAID activities that require expert technical advice and community outreach.
Environmental Activities in Rural Clusters: The proposed FY 2001 obligation is $5.5 million ESF. Environmental activities at the community level include building or restoring retaining walls, reforestation, upgrading potable and irrigation water systems, improving road drainage, tackling community waste disposal problems with low-cost technologies, and introducing new crops that serve both income and environmental objectives. The program has begun demonstrating a number of low-cost solutions to both solid and liquid waste problems, and is enlisting other donors in the effort. These technologies are becoming a popular alternative to the government's large, expensive, and mostly unfunded plans. For these reasons, USAID will invest the proposed funds to expand these activities, enlisting donors and other partners in an effort to reach those rural areas where the need for water and wastewater management projects is critical.
Humanitarian Demining: The proposed FY 2001 obligation is $500,000 ESF. The humanitarian demining program is unique in having successfully set the basis for cooperation over landmine issues between Lebanese Armed Forces special units and the Humanitarian Demining Office representing local NGOs and community-based organizations. The information system on landmine victims and locations now covers the entire country, including areas in South Lebanon and West Bekaa that were under occupation. This database is the sole, comprehensive source of information on landmine issues in Lebanon. USAID's broad experience in helping landmine victims and their families, coupled with the Israeli withdrawal from the South, has created an urgent need for further assistance. A pilot victims assistance center in Jezzine, home to Lebanon's largest number of landmine deaths and injuries, will help victims in treatment, rehabilitation, and economic reintegration. These resources will expand awareness, institutional strengthening and networking activities in other mine-affected areas of Lebanon.
Possible Adjustments to Plans: USAID is considering investing up to $1 million in water conflict resolution and pollution abatement activities in FY 2001, depending on developments in South Lebanon and the Lebanese government's plans for promulgating national industrial and air pollution standards. On water issues, the South has abundant water resources but a lack of water management schemes, due to more than 20 years of occupation and neglect. Resettlement and economic revitalization depend largely on the peaceful exploitation and management of water resources-at the village, cluster, and possibly transboundary levels. On pollution activities, industries will likely need help in complying with standards and meeting the upcoming challenges of globalization. Similarly, Lebanon's three new air quality laboratories could benefit from assistance that links scientific data with public policy.
Other Donor Programs: The World Bank and other donors have assessed environmental problems and proposed programs for coastal resources management, solid waste management, wastewater treatment, and national reserves. The Bank has provided $55 million for a solid waste management project to construct landfills in seven different locations. However, this project was put on hold in 1998. The Italian government has some small to medium wastewater management projects; the United Nations Development Program provides modest support to local organizations to deal with solid waste problems. United Nations agencies are increasingly involved in humanitarian demining. USAID is encouraging them to use the mine awareness and survey experience afforded by local NGOs and universities. The U.S. Department of Defense supports physical removal of mines with training and equipment for the LAF engineering regiment.
Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: USAID supports AUB's Environmental Lab and Water Resources Center; and Mercy Corps International, Catholic Near East Welfare Association, the Young Men's Christian Association, the Cooperative Housing Foundation, and Creative Associates International, Inc. for rural cluster environmental activities. All of these activities are carried out in close coordination with the Ministries of Environment, Water and Energy, Agriculture and Interior, as well as with local municipalities. The World Rehabilitation Fund is carrying out education, organization, information, and victims assistance work on demining with the LAF, the Ministry of Health, Balamand University, and a consortium of local NGOs and community based organizations. Water conflict management activities would likely engage a contractor through the Asia and Near East Bureau's regional water resource disputes activity. Partners have not yet been identified for the air and industrial pollution activities.
FY 2002 Performance Table
Lebanon: 268-005
Performance Measures:
Indicator FY97 (Actual) FY98 (Actual) FY99 (Actual) FY00 (Actual) FY00 (Plan) FY01 (Plan) FY02 (Plan) Indicator 1: Number of villages known to change or initiate activities to improve or maintain the condition of water resources. NA 42 44 40 42 42 40 Indicator 2: Number of new clients requesting environmental analyses NA 24 56 66 36 48 60 Indicator 3: % lab capacity used for environmental analyses NA 0.05 0.3 0.56 0.5 0.65 0.75 Indicator 4: Number of individuals accessing landmines related information and awareness activities NA 258157 859779 862669 300000 350000 350000 Indicator 5: Number of individuals accessing landmines related information and awareness activities NA 258157 859779 862669 300000 350000 350000 Indicator 6: Number of new clients requesting environmental analyses NA 24 80 66 36 48 60 Indicator 7: Number of villages known to change or initiate activities to improve or maintain the condition of water resources. NA 42 44 40 42 42 40 Indicator 8: % lab capacity used for environmental analyses NA 0.05 0.3 0.56 0.5 0.65 0.75 Indicator Information:
Indicator Level (S) or (IR) Unit of Measure Source Indicator Description Indicator 1: IR Number of villages undertaking one or more environmental activities. Nb. Have changed to reflect annual results instead of cumulative. NGO's consolidated reporting system This indicator counts villages that are undertaking integrated activities affecting their environment. They include a combination of interrelated activities: solid/waste water treatment, potable water treament, reforestation, prevention from erosion, environmental/sanitation campaigns ... Indicator 2: IR Clients. Numbers have been modified to reflect annual results instead of cucmulative. American University of Beirut records American University of Beirut laboratory contribution to improved environmental practices, is not just reflected through the increase in number of analyses per year, that may be conducted for the same clients, but also through the increase in the number of new clients requesting technical assistance. The year 2000 results reflect an increase of 5 -6 clients per month. Indicator 3: IR Percentage based on annual increase in lab productivity Lab schedules and American University of Beirut reports Indicator depicts lab capacity through quantitative measurement of lab. productivity. Indicator 4: IR Individuals targeted in the awareness campaigns and participants from community groups. Nb. Have changed to reflect annual results instead of cumulative. WRF; CBO's; Landmines Resource Center Indicator reflects results of activities targeting population groups at risk of landmine injuries as well as the general public. Activities encompass awareness campaigns and professional meetings/seminars in villages; community based advocacy programs involving 40 local CBO's (Community Based Organizations); surveys on landmines related information conducted all over Lebanese territory; and newsletters and newspaper articles. Indicator 5: IR Individuals targeted in the awareness campaigns and participants from community groups. Nb. Have changed to reflect annual results instead of cumulative. WRF; CBO's; Landmines Resource Center Indicator reflects results of activities targeting population groups at risk of landmine injuries as well as the general public. Activities encompass awareness campaigns and professional meetings/seminars in villages; community based advocacy programs involving 40 local CBO's (Community Based Organizations); surveys on landmines related information conducted all over Lebanese territory; and newsletters and newspaper articles. Indicator 6: IR Clients. American University of Beirut records American University of Beirut laboratory contribution to improved environmental practices, is not just reflected through the increase in number of analyses per year, that may be conducted for the same clients, but also through the increase in the number of new clients requesting technical assistance. The year 2000 results reflect an increase of 5 -6 clients per month. Indicator 7: IR Number of villages undertaking one or more environmental activities. Nb. Have changed to reflect annual results instead of cumulative. NGO's consolidated reporting system This indicator counts villages that are undertaking integrated activities affecting their environment. They include a combination of interrelated activities: solid/waste water treatment, potable water treament, reforestation, prevention from erosion, environmental/sanitation campaigns ... Indicator 8: IR Percentage based on annual increase in lab productivity Lab schedules and American University of Beirut reports Indicator depicts lab capacity through quantitative measurement of lab. productivity. U.S. Financing
(In thousands of dollars)
Obligations Expenditures Unliquidated Through September 30, 1999 500 DA 0 DA 500 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 CSD 3,676 ESF 1,269 ESF 2,407 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA Fiscal Year 2000 DA 0 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 ESF 2,407 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA Through September 30, 2000 500 DA 0 DA 500 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 CSD 3,676 ESF 3,676 ESF 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA Prior Year Unobligated Funds 0 DA 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 DFA Planned Fiscal Year 2001 NOA 0 DA 0 CSD 6,478 ESF 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 DFA Total Planned Fiscal Year 2001 0 DA 0 CSD 6,478 ESF 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 DFA Future Obligations Est. Total Cost Proposed Fiscal Year 2002 NOA 0 DA 0 DA 500 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 CSD 5,000 ESF 6,000 ESF 21,154 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA
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Last Updated on: May 29, 2002 |
