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With the support of the Lebanon Reforestation Initiative (LRI) funded by USAID and implemented by the US Forest Service, the Social and Environmental Corridor Planning Committee for Rashayya launched last Saturday its 10-year environmental strategic plan to enhance the ecological conditions and expand the area’s green cover. The action plan embraces a number of goals, namely: reforestation, forest fire prevention, awareness campaigns, forest management, eco-tourism, capacity building and communication planning. Present at the launch event were, USAID representative, Elias Haddad, in addition to representatives of the involved associations and mayors of some 13 municipalities targeted by the Corridor action plan namely, Rashayya, Kfardanis, Kawkaba, Ain Arab, Majdal Balhis, Mdawakha, Rafid, Bakka, Dahr el Ahmar, Anjar, Mhaidseh, Khirbit Ruha and Bireh. In his speech, Elias Haddad stressed the important role of the above committee in liaising with neighbor local communities and inspiring them to address their common environmental needs. The ceremony closed with a gathering in Anjar which saw the planting of a tree in the town’s reforestation site to underline the significance of teamwork in the restoration and protection of Lebanon’s forests. It is to be noted, that this environmental and social corridor is an arcade that seeks to expand Rashayya forests towards Anjar while covering the 13 towns listed above. The importance of the project lies in strengthening the links between neighboring local communities in common environmental areas. (Al Mustaqbal, October 18, 2016)

 

The president of the Hamra Street Traders Association, Zuheir Itani, said on Saturday that the worsening political discord has exacerbated the economic, social and livelihoods crisis affecting all the Lebanese people in all sectors, mainly the industrial and agricultural production sectors, commerce and external tourism. Shopping centers and souks are void of customers and many stores have closed and fired or terminated the contracts of their workers and staff, Itani maintained, pointing out to the unprecedentedly high rate of unemployment in the country. Itani was speaking during his tour to the shops and institutions in Ras Beirut district of Hamra in the rush hours, which he described as deserted, except for those who walk the street unnoticed. The reason for this slump, Itani mentioned, is the unstable political situation, which keeps consumers in check. Meanwhile, the labor ministry continues to follow up cases of arbitrary lay-offs of employees, and has issued to this effect a statement expressing shock over the random and arbitrary firing of Lebanese staff who are being replaced by Syrian workers with no explanation. Most of the cases, the statement went on to say, and which amount to hundreds over the course of a month, are unlawful and unjustified. Below are the names of some of the institutions and companies that laid off some of their workers: Hotel De Ville, Fares Group, Fakhry Food Company, St Terese Hospital, Agha Restaurant, Alban Lubnan, Arcom Musawi, Sanabil of the Time, Talia’at al Shaab School, Larissa corp, Ismail Furniture, Issa Khawaja company, Rajaa Sharafiddine Company, Monzer al Hajj Hospital, Executive Security, Rizk Security and Spartan. Legal notices have been sent to OMT, Alomco and Samir Zaim institution as well. (An Nahar, Al Diyar, Al Akhbar, October 17 and 18, 2016)

 

Mada association organized yesterday an exhibition in Horsh Beirut to promote the local production of Akkar in the North under the theme ‘Akkar Day’. The expo, which showcased goods by small producers and artisans from the region, comes as part of the ‘Improved Livelihood for Small-Scale Farmers in Akkar’ project funded by the European Union through its European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). The purpose of the exhibition is to introduce people to the area, while highlighting its landmarks, resources and production. Some local 25 participants displayed their fruits, veggies, processed foods and handiworks, with special focus on apple producers. Furthermore, local women served village food they especially prepared for the occasion. On the event, Delphine Compain from Mada association revealed to L’Orient Le Jour newspaper that it is one of a kind activity will be repeated for it represents a concrete outcome of the project and since it benefits farmers and therefore, contribute to the development of rural neighborhoods, Compain said. The project, she stressed, incorporates environmental principles, particularly those related to irrigation, which constitute a fundamental problem to Akkar. Finally, Compain disclosed that a similar day will be held in Halba this upcoming November 6. (L’Orient Le Jour, October 14, 2016)

 

The minister of tourism, Michel Pharaon, underlined last Saturday the importance of the rural tourism project launched recently by his ministry to draw attention to remote Lebanese villages, their hidden potentials and employment prospects. Pharaon who was speaking during his sponsorship of the annual gala dinner for the Lebanon Mountain Trail (LMT) Association at Beirut Hippodrome, pointed out that LMT sustains the development of tourism and strengthens the villagers’ steadfastness to their land. “Every year, we relive with the Association different rural, mountain and ecological climates away from the political and confessional interferences,” Pharaon said. Similarly, LMT president, Nadine Weber, maintained that the association has partly contributed to the return of displaced Lebanese families to their villages, particularly that the hiking trail when passing through 16 out of 75 towns and villages across Lebanon benefits local producers who flock to showcase their food heritage to trekkers. Weber called for preserving and promoting this project as a touristic invention, and also for protecting its natural resources and cultural legacy. She advised the need to adjust the educational approaches of Lebanese schools as such to incorporate activities that prompt the creation of economic opportunities through the MLT initiative (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, October 16, 2016)

 

In its issue of October 15, The Daily Star newspaper published a feature on the migrant women domestic workers (MWDWs) with a special focus on their provision of care for the elderly. This phenomenon, the newspaper wrote, has grown to become a part of the daily assignments of a big number of those workers besides their regular housekeeping and cleaning chores. For more insight on the subject, The Daily Star spoke to a number of elderly people who acknowledged the positive role of domestic workers in their lives, especially with the semi-absence of family members who are pre-occupied with managing their own lives. With the increasing number of seniors in Lebanon, the newspaper said, elderly care has become a rising concern for the majority of households, given the still prevalent norms in society which stigmatize the act of placing an elderly family member in a nursing home. The newspaper moreover, citing a big number of families, drew attention to the fact that contracting domestic helpers for the elderly is economically more viable compared to professional care which can be very expensive. To expound on this, the newspaper interviewed the professor at the Health Sciences Faculty at the American University of Beirut, Dr. Sawsan Abdel Rahim. The latter identified some of the difficulties arising from certain situations where, for example, the senior family member, need special medical care or special food for which MWDWs do not have the required skilled training and qualifications. Over and above, Abdel Rahim explained, caring for seniors can also be emotionally traumatic for domestic workers, and in most cases their salary remains unchanged. Abdel Rahim concluded by referring to a study she completed last year on the reasons for hiring domestic help. According to that survey which covered 1200 individuals, some 20% of respondents said they hired the domestic worker to care for an elderly family member, while another 20% mentioned care for young children. (The Daily Star, October 17, 2016)

 

After the sit-ins organized by 3arsaal farmers demanding compensation for their losses in fruit production (cherries, apricots and apples), the last of which was a sit-in held yesterday in front of the Grand Serail, the Cabinet decided to allocate a sum of LBP 10 billion (equivalent to USD 6.6 million) to the Higher Relief Council (HRC) to compensate losses of cherry growers incurred over the past three years and commissioned the Army to do the required field surveys. On the subject, 3arsaal’s deputy mayor, Rima Krumbi, told As Safir newspaper that the amount (LBP 10 billion) does not even represent half of the losses estimated at LBP 23 billion per year, according to statistics collected by the town’s agricultural committee. However, Krumbi pointed out that 3arsaal’s residents will persevere in following up their cause until the end. For its part, the aforementioned committee while considering the compensation as a significant step forward, drew attention to other important measures that are required notably:  Provision of the necessary agricultural inputs such as veterinary drugs, fodder to the livestock, seedlings and seeds to the farmers; the setting up of new agricultural projects; support to green houses and the opening of agricultural extension centers. The committee also demanded that safety of all roads leading to the orchards, that constitute the basis of the livelihoods of inhabitants, be firmly secured. Meanwhile, the Lebanese government during yesterday meeting also decided to allocate a sum of LBP 2.6 billion (USD 1.7million) to the HRC to compensate poultry farmers for the destruction of their production units by the Avian Influenza. (L’Orient Le Jour, As Safir, Al Diyar, October 14, 2016)  

 

Previous related news: 

Arsal farmers demand compensation for lost fruits seasons

High time for poultry producers to stage their protest

 

In its edition of today, Al Hayat newspaper wrote that the issue of gender is not a novelty in Lebanon, pointing out to women activists who have remained resolute since their early struggle against patriarchal mindsets deep-seated in society. The newspaper drew attention to the latest organized moves by civil society organizations which crisscrossed with the media work to contribute to shaping the public opinion trends seeking to prioritize the issue of gender. For this trend, the newspaper went on to analyze, constitutes the basis for feminist causes and on it depends the reformation of the social awareness on the role of women in society. Al Hayat wrote that when one becomes consciously aware of the difference between sex and gender, his/her mind will be inspired or spurred to search for social norms which seriously harm women through curbing their capacities. On the subject, the newspaper highlighted last month’s action by FeMale association under the title ‘coverage of women’s issue from a gender perspective’, which brought together a number of journalists from the various media channels. Participants were drawn think through brainstorming sessions on the differences between sex and gender. Al Hayat also interviewed the writer and journalist Sahar Mandoor who confirmed that the local media is experiencing radical transformation in its approach to gender-related discrimination issues. (Al Hayat, October 13, 2016)

 

“Lubnaniyoon” association, held yesterday a large meeting at Phoenicia Hotel, Beirut, to discuss the electoral laws in the presence of a big number of political, social and media figures. During the meeting which was run by journalist Gisele Khury, a documentary was screened introducing the organization and the notion of women’s quota. Afterwards, the president of Lubnaniyoon, Nadine Daher, underlined the importance of commitment to international conventions to which Lebanon is a signatory and which instates the incorporation of a representation quota in all elections-related legislations. Several interventions by political parties’ women representatives were made on the subject. Wafa Farhat from the Progressive Socialist Party, for example, called for the development of an elections law that allows participation of all the components of society, endorses the principles of democracy and meets the higher national goals. Similarly, Mirna Zakharia from Tayar al Marada, called for “launching an alternative strategy that keeps with our current times while respecting the particularities of the nation.” Speaking on behalf of the Lebanese Forces (LF), Maya Zighrini, pointed out that women in LF handle responsibilities in various sectors and departments and are efficient members in the Central Council and Executive Committee. And while Maryam Chami from Amal Movement, criticized the rift in the stand of the Lebanese women which prevents them from reaching decision making positions, her colleague in the Kataeb Party, Mira Wakim, described women’s quota as a form of positive intervention which facilitates their participation in political life. Afifa Sayyid from the Future Movement, recalled Saad Hariri’s pledge to give women and the youth a representation quota inside the Tayyar by 40% during the upcoming general conference in November. Finally, Rana Saadeh, speaking for “Jama3a Islamiyya”, underlined her group’s efforts to uplift the representation of women in all fields. (Al Mustaqbal, October 14, 2016)

 

Various representatives’ bodies and institutions of the olive sector in Lebanon teamed up with dissenting apple and wheat farmers to call for government protection and support. The announcement came after an emergency meeting last week led by the head of the Agriculture Branch in the National Trade Union of Cooperative Associations, George Ainati that was convened in order to discuss the threat to the domestic olive cultivation by imported olive oil and to mobilize farmers to prevent the worse. A statement issued at the end of the meeting stated: “During the last harvest, millions of olive oil containers have been imported which left the bulk of local olive production in stocks, despite the agriculture ministry’s decision to halt the import for a few months.” The statement went on to warn that any quantities of olive oil entering the country, regardless of their source, are dubbed illegal, and hence, are subject to be burned or destroyed by farmers along with the trucks carrying them.” In conclusion, the statement also pointed out that the Lebanese Army consumes inedible imported oil only to satisfy the greed of a few traders and shippers. Meanwhile, the Cooperative Association for Animal Development and Husbandry in the town of Andkit has received some 6 battery-run olive harvesters from the USAID, in the presence of the agency’s representative in Lebanon, Ranim Abdel Kader. To this effect, the head of the beneficiary cooperative, Toni Elias, announced that these machines will be placed at the disposal of the town’s farmers in order to reduce the cost of harvest and improve the quality of olive oil. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, The Daily Star, October 4,5, 12, 2016)

 

The President of Kayani Foundation, Nura Jumblat, received on Tuesday the LennonOno Award for Peace 2016 from Yoko Ono in Reykjavik, Iceland in the presence of a large number of participants, including Icelandic officials and some 200 international and diplomatic figures, in addition to Kayani Friends representative in the US. To recall, the prize is awarded every two years to dignitaries from around the world for their achievements in the fields of arts, culture or humanitarian issues. The nominees for this year’s grant were: Anish Kapoor, Ai Weiwie, Katalin Ladik and Olafur Eliasson. Ai Weiwei has named Kayani Foundation asking Nura Jumblat to receive the prize. During the ceremony, Jumblat explained the work of her foundation with Syrian refugee in Lebanon, particularly in the area of education, as well as emotional and social support to children. In conclusion, Jumblat appealed for ending the war in the neighbouring country as well as the suffering and hardships of Syrians. (Al Mustaqbal, October 13, 2016)