The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) tackles the problem of desertification in the plains and valleys of the Baalbeck and Hermel most affected areas. It is currently working on mitigating the effects of floods and droughts and taking actions to stop land degradation.

On Saturday 20th of March, UNDP organized a field visit to Aarsal region in Baalbeck to observe the flood management infrastructure implemented by the “Flood Risks Management and Water Harvesting Project in Baalbeck-El Hermel”. The Lebanese Recovery Fund – UNDP/Ministry of Agriculture project donated an excavator to the Municipality of Aarsal through a grant received from the Spanish government. This excavator will be used to maintain the reservoirs and walls that were built to mitigate the impact of floods.

The ceremony was held under the auspices and in the presence of H.E. Minister of Agriculture Dr. Hussein El Hajj Hassan. H.E. Ambassador of Spain Mr. Juan Carlos Gavo, UNDP’s resident representative Ms. Marta Ruedas, Mayor of Aarsal Mr. Abdel Rahman El Houjairy alongside a number of Mayors, NGO representatives, residents of Aarsal and UNDP staff also participated in the field visit.

In his speech, Minister Hajj Hassan thanked the Spanish government and the project team headed by Ms Marta Ruedas and considered that this project is one of the ministry’s priorities. He also mentioned that today “we witness the inauguration of the works initiated by this project to limit the flood risks in Baalbeck region.”

Ms Ruedas pointed that the project could not have happened without the funding received from the Government of Spain through the UN multi-donor trust fund, and ‘The Lebanon Recovery Fund’ which was established after the July 2006 war in Lebanon.

She explained that the project will not only assist in restoring the livelihoods of many people in need but also promote the protection of the land and its valuable resources. In addition, Ms Ruedas mentioned that the project is in the process of building one water reservoir that would catch up to 30,000 m3 of water to be used for irrigation and will establish water efficient irrigation networks that will benefit over 150 farmers.

Ambassador Gafo reiterated his country’s engagement in helping Lebanon and focus on the most deprived regions. He also highlighted the importance of the Spanish contribution in Baalbeck region in order to face the problem of desertification and floods and help the local habitants.

Mr Abdel Rahman Hujeiry, Mayor of Aarsal hoped that the region will benefit more from development projects like this one.

The“Flood Risks Management and Water Harvesting Project in Baalbeck-El Hermel” aims at reducing the impacts of floods on communities of this region by constructing flood management structures and promoting water harvesting. This project falls under the National Action Plan to Combat Desertification and supports the Lebanese government in its efforts to help the most damaged areas and to reduce its environmental and economical impact. In fact, the financial cost of every flood event is estimated around 3 million dollars excluding indirect costs.