Lebanon

In this rapidly changing and complex environment, ACTED articulates long-term development support for a sustainable future, with targeted emergency response to the humanitarian crisis. ACTED is firmly committed to long-term partnerships with local NGOs, multi-stakeholder dialogue, and working closely with authorities and municipalities for accountability and service continuity. Our innovative programmes target vulnerable communities to expand their sustainable access to water, wastewater and solid waste management. Our teams also support income generation and business continuity in the agriculture and economic sectors, evidencing the potential of circular economy to drive Lebanon’s green recovery, actively promoting gender equality, and designing joint grassroots initiatives that contribute to social cohesion.

#ZeroExclusion & Poverty: Women have been particularly impacted by the crises in Lebanon, accentuating a gender gap that ranks among the highest in the world. Because nobody should be left behind, ACTED supports women’s economic participation, while also addressing their protection concerns. Our programmes reach out to vulnerable women, small businesses and cooperatives with technical and empowerment trainings and coaching. Simultaneously, men and municipal staff take part in activities that build their understanding and community support for the economic empowerment of women.

Period poverty is now a reality in Lebanon, with 76% of women and girls in Lebanon facing difficulty in accessing menstrual products, primarily due to increase in price. In a first of this kind of a project in the country, ACTED launched a local menstrual pad production line run by and for women in one of the most vulnerable localities of Tripoli, Lebanese city with the highest poverty rates. This initiative is providing jobs for the local community while producing quality and affordable pads for the marginalized neighborhoods.

ACTED also partnered with the local NGO SIDC to promote the rights of LGBTQI+ persons nation-wide in workplaces. Training and grants were provided to CSOs to implement advocacy and awareness implement, inclusivity scorecards were developed for businesses, and employees and employers received training on building a supportive work environment.

#ZeroExclusion: As more citizens look for alternative ways to meet their basic needs (e.g., electricity, water, or security) the more the system breaks down amid this growing distrust between citizen and state. Through direct engagement and support, ACTED and its partners work with the public Water Establishments nationwide in place to meet citizen needs efficiently and equitably, hold institutions accountable, and improve communication.

#ZeroCarbon: ACTED launched a project hiring and training vulnerable workers in the deprived Governorate of Akkar, to install rainwater harvesting systems on greenhouses, in villages under high water stress. Rainwater is thereby collected and channeled into a tank that is then used for drip irrigation in the greenhouses, reducing the need for groundwater pumping.