USD 1 billion spent in Lebanon via USAID since 2007

The "Maakom" social and charitable association in Tripoli celebrated yesterday the graduation of students who completed the English courses implemented by the association.  The event was held at the Rashid Karami Exhibition Centre under the auspices of the US Embassy and with the participation of leading figures.  During the ceremony, the programme director, Ghina Osta Alloosh, noted in her speech that "over a six-month period, Syrian and Lebanese women joined together in 20 classes in the North and partook in 150 sessions including class sessions as well as educational outing".  She added that this "ceremony is special because it is taking place in Tripoli, a resilient and oppressed city which suffered from conflict from decades and this has affected its social, cultural and economic fabric".  The US ambassador in Lebanon, Elizabeth Richards, noted for her part that "since 2007, the USA has provided more than USD1 billion in development aid for the Lebanese people".  She added that this grants were mostly disbursed via USAID with the aim of strengthening progress in various sectors such as education, water management, good governance and the creation of economic opportunities".  Alloosh and Edwards then proceeded to distribute certificates to the 400 participants in addition to trophies to representatives of the US Embassies, municpalities and partner associations.(Al Mustaqbal, September, 19, 2016)