In a press release by the German Embassy in Beirut, it said: “Following the Conference “Supporting Syria and the Region” in February, the German Government has substan-tially increased its assistance to vulnerable populations in Lebanon to almost 400 million US$ in 2016. These funds are used for food assistance, education, support to host communities and wider humanitarian support, making Germany the second largest provider of assistance for Lebanon.”
Release added: “Covering 50% of the operational costs of WFP in Lebanon, German support has been instrumental to address the basic nutritional needs of 770.000 refugees, and to ensure a much-needed increase in food rations. German support has also enabled the Ministry of Social Affairs to increase the number of Lebanese recipients under the NPTP.
Education: With a commitment of 70 million US$ in 2016 alone, Germany continues to be a strong partner to educational system of Lebanon. Funds have been made available towards the “Reaching all Children with Edu-cation Programme” (RACE), enabling the enrollment of 200.000 Lebanese and 175.000 Syrian children in public schools. In addition, Germany is supporting vocational training to increase the professional skills of Lebanese and Syrian adolescents.”
Release went on to say: “Humanitarian Assistance: Germany has provided 50 million USD for humanitarian assistance to Syrian refu-gees and vulnerable Lebanese to cover their immediate needs. This assistance continues to support people in need, for example, to see a doctor and receive medical treatment. The German support has also enabled the Lebanese Red Cross to improve its Emergency Medical and Blood Bank Services, hence benefitting all populations in Lebanon.
Palestinian Refugees: German support has also addressed the needs of Palestinian refugees. Following the allocation of 15 million EUR by Germany, UNRWA and KfW Development Bank in November 2016 signed a financial agreement for the reconstruction of 280 Apartments in the Nahr el Bared refugee camp north of Tripoli. Germany also continues to support infrastructural needs, education and health services throughout Palestinian camps in Lebanon and the region.”
Release added: “Infrastructure and Water: In February 2016, more than 22.000 Lebanese and Palestinian households in Coastal Akkar were finally connected to the waste water treatment plant of Tripoli, significantly reducing hazards to public health and environment. Germany continues to address infrastructural needs of Lebanese municipalities through the Lebanese Host Communities Support Programme and through initiatives in the field of water sup-ply, sanitation and waste management.”
Martin Huth, German Ambassador to Lebanon, said: “I wish to thank the people of Lebanon for their continuous generosity to host more than 1.3 million refugees from Syria and Palestine. We are of the enormous strains for Lebanese communities, institutions and public infrastructure. Germany has stepped up its assistance to almost 400 million US$ to mitigate the repercussions for Lebanese citizens and to support the basic needs of refugees.”
Huth concluded: “We will continue to stand by the government and people of Lebanon to overcome the effects of the Syrian crisis and to ensure the integrity and the political and confessional diversity of Lebanon. This includes our political commitment towards the cessation of hostilities in Syria.”
