| AMERICAN LEBANESE COORDINATION COUNCIL ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
Following is the letter from Beirut detailing USAID developments in Lebanon.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
USAID Holds Nation Wide Municipal Convention
USAID held its annual Municipal Economic Development Convention gathering more than 1,200 municipal leaders from all of
Lebanon’s 950 municipalities, in addition to a number of Ministers, Parliamentarians and representatives from non-governmental
organizations. The Convention was organized in partnership with the State University of New York (SUNY) under USAID’s Municipal
Governance Assistance program and in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities. The Convention focused on local
economic development and the role of donor agencies. Among the panel speakers, USAID/Lebanon Mission Director Raouf Youssef,
SUNY, the European Union (EU), the World Bank and the United Nations Development Fund (UNDP) presented their programs in
Lebanon in the municipal field.
South Lebanon’s Olive Mills
In partnership with the Cooperative Housing Foundation (CHF), the Rene Moawad Foundation (RMF) and Mercy Corps, USAID
recently funded two training sessions targeting 37 olive mill owners and operators in South Lebanon. The sessions took place in Ebl
Es-Saqi and Nabatiyeh for the regions of Hasbaya, Nabatiyeh and Marjayoun. The activity falls under the USAID-funded
CEDARSplus program. Participants learned the importance of rehabilitating their mills and the necessity to improve the skills of mill
owners. As part of the CEDARSplus program, CHF will be implementing activities to enhance the olive oil sector in Lebanon through
providing agricultural input to farmers, modernizing olive presses and establishing adequate olive oil transportation, collection and
storage facilities.
USAID Presents $280,000 to American School
U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey Feltman and USAID/Lebanon Mission Director Raouf Youssef presented a check for $280,000 to
International College (IC) on April 13, 2006 for scholarship support. At International College, Ambassador Feltman met with a number
of students to learn more about their school program and hear their views on Lebanon and the future. USAID’s funding to IC amounts
to $300,000 this year, to provide scholarship support and books for the school’s library. 97 Lebanese students from diverse regions
of Lebanon are able to attend IC and benefit from an American-style education.
World Water Day
On the occasion of World Water Day, Development Alternatives Inc. (DAI) conducted a water fair at a high school in Saida in South
Lebanon. The activity falls under a comprehensive awareness campaign on water conservation under USAID’s Lebanon Water Policy
Program (LWPP), targeting school students in South Lebanon. 310 students from 22 schools participated in this event and prepared
projects on water conservation. At the end of the fair, USAID, DAI and the South Lebanon Water and Wastewater Establishment
(SLWWE) distributed prizes to winners.
National Olive Oil Contest
On the occasion of HORECA exhibition that took place in late March 2006 at BIEL, SRI International organized a widely attended
national olive oil contest to determine the best tasting Lebanese extra virgin olive oil, and the best presented olive oil bottle and label.
36 entrants participated in the competition, while the general public was invited to taste and vote for their favorite oil. At the awards
ceremony held on the last day of the exhibition, USAID/Lebanon Mission Director Raouf Youssef and the Minister of Agriculture
announced the first three winners for both categories. The best olive oil bottle presentation prize was awarded to the Rene Mouwad
Foundation (RMF) for its Zaytouna Extra Virgin Olive Oil, while the best tasting prize was awarded to an individual from Bkassine in
Jezzine.
USAID Holds Meeting With Partners on Agriculture
USAID held its first thematic meeting of 2006 with its partners working in the agricultural sector on April 11, 2006. The meeting
gathered all USAID’s partners that have programs under the agriculture portfolio, namely ACDI/ VOCA, SRI International, Mercy
Corps, World Vision, the Cooperative Housing Foundation (CHF) and the World Rehabilitation Fund (WRF). The meeting was an
opportunity for USAID’s partners to present their latest progress, discuss the issues they are facing, as well as ensure
complementarity in the implementation of the various components of the program.
USAID Assists SMEs
Under USAID’s agriculture portfolio, Agriculture Cooperative Development International/Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative
Assistance (ACDI-VOCA) held two kick-off meetings for small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) in the Chambers of Commerce
of Saida in South Lebanon and Zahle in the Beqaa. The purpose of the two meetings was to introduce SMEs to the USAID-funded
ASAIL project. The workshop in Saida gathered 27 SMEs working on dry biscuit and traditional Lebanese sweets, while the one in
Zahle targeted 21 SMEs specializing in fruits and vegetables. The Action for Sustainable Agro-Industry in Lebanon (ASAIL) project
promotes the sectors of small ruminants and niche Lebanese products through enhancing their competitiveness, increasing rural
economic opportunities and improving access to credit. The project’s main beneficiaries are SMEs, producers and processors in
these sectors.
World Water Day
On the occasion of World Water Day, Development Alternatives Inc. (DAI) conducted a water fair at a high school in Saida in South
Lebanon. The activity falls under a comprehensive awareness campaign on water conservation under USAID’s Lebanon Water Policy
Program (LWPP), targeting school students in South Lebanon. 310 students from 22 schools participated in this event and prepared
projects on water conservation. At the end of the fair, USAID, DAI and the South Lebanon Water and Wastewater Establishment
(SLWWE) distributed prizes to winners.
National Olive Oil Contest
On the occasion of HORECA exhibition that took place in late March 2006 at BIEL, SRI International organized a widely attended
national olive oil contest to determine the best tasting Lebanese extra virgin olive oil, and the best presented olive oil bottle and label.
36 entrants participated in the competition, while the general public was invited to taste and vote for their favorite oil. At the awards
ceremony held on the last day of the exhibition, USAID/Lebanon Mission Director Raouf Youssef and the Minister of Agriculture
announced the first three winners for both categories. The best olive oil bottle presentation prize was awarded to the Rene Mouwad
Foundation (RMF) for its Zaytouna Extra Virgin Olive Oil, while the best tasting prize was awarded to an individual from Bkassine in
Jezzine.
USAID Holds Meeting With Partners on Agriculture
USAID held its first thematic meeting of 2006 with its partners working in the agricultural sector on April 11, 2006. The meeting
gathered all USAID’s partners that have programs under the agriculture portfolio, namely ACDI/ VOCA, SRI International, Mercy
Corps, World Vision, the Cooperative Housing Foundation (CHF) and the World Rehabilitation Fund (WRF). The meeting was an
opportunity for USAID’s partners to present their latest progress, discuss the issues they are facing, as well as ensure
complementarity in the implementation of the various components of the program.
USAID Assists SMEs
Under USAID’s agriculture portfolio, Agriculture Cooperative Development International/Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative
Assistance (ACDI-VOCA) held two kick-off meetings for small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) in the Chambers of Commerce
of Saida in South Lebanon and Zahle in the Beqaa. The purpose of the two meetings was to introduce SMEs to the USAID-funded
ASAIL project. The workshop in Saida gathered 27 SMEs working on dry biscuit and traditional Lebanese sweets, while the one in
Zahle targeted 21 SMEs specializing in fruits and vegetables. The Action for Sustainable Agro-Industry in Lebanon (ASAIL) project
promotes the sectors of small ruminants and niche Lebanese products through enhancing their competitiveness, increasing rural
economic opportunities and improving access to credit. The project’s main beneficiaries are SMEs, producers and processors in
these sectors.
Thank you
Walid Maalouf
Director
Public Diplomacy for Middle Eastern & MEPI Affairs
US Agency for International Development
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20523
Phone (202) 712-5161
Fax (202) 216-3237
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Following are USAID activities in Lebanon
USAID Signs Eight New Partnership Agreements
USAID/Lebanon signed partnership agreements with eight organizations totaling US $38.2 million at the end of 2005, to increase
economic development, job opportunities and raise the standard of living in Lebanese communities. The agreements are for projects
to be carried out between November 2005 and November 2007, and attest to the long-term commitment of the United States to the
people of Lebanon. The eight partners will work in the development fields of agriculture, tourism and information and communication
technology. On the agriculture level, Agriculture Cooperative Development International/Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative
Assistance (ACDI-VOCA), World Vision, Cooperative Housing Foundation (CHF) and Mercy Corps will receive a total of $24.6
million to implement programs throughout Lebanon, covering the sectors of organic agriculture, fruits, fodder (fresh animal feed),
fisheries, olive oil, pine nuts and beekeeping. The American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA) and ECODIT will both receive $5.2
million to implement projects aiming at boosting economic opportunities in the tourism sector. SRI International and the International
Executive Service Corps (IESC) will both receive $8.4 million to assist in the development of rural businesses through information and
communication technology.
USAID Trains Judges on Intellectual Property Rights
With USAID funding under the Professional Training Program (PTP) administered by AMIDEAST, two Lebanese judges and two
Lebanese prosecutors attended two separate training sessions on Intellectual Property Rights Regional Judicial Program and
Intellectual Property Rights Regional Prosecutorial Program held in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) and Muscat (Oman) on January 18
and 22, 2006. Organized by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the programs focused on training the judges
and prosecutors on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) enforcement through presentations, panel discussions, case studies and group
exercises. The topics covered types of IPR, IPR laws and cases from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, international
standards and obligations for IPR enforcement, judicial perspectives on IPR litigation, private sector perspectives on counterfeiting
trends in the MENA Region, adjudicating and management of IPR litigation, digital/copyright piracy, and damages and sentencing in
IPR cases.
Lebanese Olive Oil in San Francisco
In partnership with SRI International, USAID funded the Lebanese food booths at the San Francisco Fancy Food Show on January 22-
24, 2006. Located in the International Exhibitors Hall, the Lebanese section represented Lebanese olive oil as a high-end specialty
food, and exposed Lebanon as a fine cuisine country. On this occasion, SRI showcased three brands of Lebanese olive oil –
Traditions du Liban, Campagnia, and Al Khalil – in addition to Al Wadi Lebanese specialty products. The show generated 42 leads
among gourmet markets, delis, caterers, oil distributors and retailers with strong prospects for purchase.
USAID Signs MOU with Lebanese Parliament
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between USAID and the Lebanese Parliament in December 2005 to cover program
activities to be implemented by the Center for Legislative Development at the State University of New York (SUNY/CLD). USAID’s
assistance includes policy dialogue trips for Members of Parliament, workshops, seminars, training, and provision of information and
communication technology equipment and software for Parliamentary committees and for administrative offices. The program will
interact mainly with civil society groups and non-governmental organizations in particular with respect to the use of information
technology by government institutions, with emphasis on the role of citizens in the formulation of public policy.
USAID Helps the Alzheimer's Association of Lebanon Reach Out to Patients and Caregivers
With USAID’s assistance in the amount of $47,000, the Alzheimer's Association of Lebanon (AAL) inaugurated their new office on
January 26, 2006, also launching on the same occasion the translated edition of The Best Friends Approach to Alzheimer's Care.
USAID donated medical and office equipment to the center, as well as covered the fees for printing the book, which is the first book
on Alzheimer's disease in Arabic. The book will be distributed free of charge to caregivers, institutions for the elderly, nurses, students
and other professionals in Lebanon. It is estimated that there are currently more than 30,000 cases of Alzheimer’s diseases in
Lebanon, and about 1.5 million throughout the Arab world.
USAID Funds Workshop on Workers’ Rights
Through the Transparency and Accountability Grants (TAG) program managed by AMIDEAST, USAID funded a worker’s rights
workshop in partnership with the Center for Middle- Eastern Strategic Studies (CESMO). Held in Koura in North Lebanon, the
workshop gathered more than 200 representatives from labour unions, employer unions, National Social Security Fund (NSSF)
officials, non-governmental organization activists, workers, and CESMO volunteers. The workshop is part of a project that aims at
promoting workers’ rights in North Lebanon through awareness on their rights and responsibilities as stipulated in the Lebanese
labour law. 50,000 copies of a booklet on employees’ rights and benefits will be produced and distributed to employers and
employees.
Development Cooperative Holds Annual Community Gathering
The Development Cooperative in Jezzine in South Lebanon organized its second Annual Community Gathering last month, followed
by a dinner, in the presence of members of the cooperative and representatives of the various project stakeholders. The purpose of
the meeting was to update all relevant parties on major achievements and challenges, as well to promote the Cooperative’s activities.
On this occasion, a donation of one million Lebanese Pounds (about USD 667) was made to the cooperative. Through the World
Rehabilitation Fund (WRF), USAID is assisting the cooperative in income-generating activities that help landmine and war victims
and their families lead more productive lives.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you,
Walid Maalouf
Director
Public Diplomacy for Middle Eastern & MEPI Affairs
US Agency for International Development
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20523
Phone (202) 712-5161
Fax (202) 216-3237
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
USAID Holds Nation Wide Municipal Convention
USAID held its annual Municipal Economic Development Convention gathering more than 1,200 municipal leaders from all of
Lebanon’s 950 municipalities, in addition to a number of Ministers, Parliamentarians and representatives from non-governmental
organizations. The Convention was organized in partnership with the State University of New York (SUNY) under USAID’s Municipal
Governance Assistance program and in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities. The Convention focused on local
economic development and the role of donor agencies. Among the panel speakers, USAID/Lebanon Mission Director Raouf Youssef,
SUNY, the European Union (EU), the World Bank and the United Nations Development Fund (UNDP) presented their programs in
Lebanon in the municipal field.
South Lebanon’s Olive Mills
In partnership with the Cooperative Housing Foundation (CHF), the Rene Moawad Foundation (RMF) and Mercy Corps, USAID
recently funded two training sessions targeting 37 olive mill owners and operators in South Lebanon. The sessions took place in Ebl
Es-Saqi and Nabatiyeh for the regions of Hasbaya, Nabatiyeh and Marjayoun. The activity falls under the USAID-funded
CEDARSplus program. Participants learned the importance of rehabilitating their mills and the necessity to improve the skills of mill
owners. As part of the CEDARSplus program, CHF will be implementing activities to enhance the olive oil sector in Lebanon through
providing agricultural input to farmers, modernizing olive presses and establishing adequate olive oil transportation, collection and
storage facilities.
USAID Presents $280,000 to American School
U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey Feltman and USAID/Lebanon Mission Director Raouf Youssef presented a check for $280,000 to
International College (IC) on April 13, 2006 for scholarship support. At International College, Ambassador Feltman met with a number
of students to learn more about their school program and hear their views on Lebanon and the future. USAID’s funding to IC amounts
to $300,000 this year, to provide scholarship support and books for the school’s library. 97 Lebanese students from diverse regions
of Lebanon are able to attend IC and benefit from an American-style education.
World Water Day
On the occasion of World Water Day, Development Alternatives Inc. (DAI) conducted a water fair at a high school in Saida in South
Lebanon. The activity falls under a comprehensive awareness campaign on water conservation under USAID’s Lebanon Water Policy
Program (LWPP), targeting school students in South Lebanon. 310 students from 22 schools participated in this event and prepared
projects on water conservation. At the end of the fair, USAID, DAI and the South Lebanon Water and Wastewater Establishment
(SLWWE) distributed prizes to winners.
National Olive Oil Contest
On the occasion of HORECA exhibition that took place in late March 2006 at BIEL, SRI International organized a widely attended
national olive oil contest to determine the best tasting Lebanese extra virgin olive oil, and the best presented olive oil bottle and label.
36 entrants participated in the competition, while the general public was invited to taste and vote for their favorite oil. At the awards
ceremony held on the last day of the exhibition, USAID/Lebanon Mission Director Raouf Youssef and the Minister of Agriculture
announced the first three winners for both categories. The best olive oil bottle presentation prize was awarded to the Rene Mouwad
Foundation (RMF) for its Zaytouna Extra Virgin Olive Oil, while the best tasting prize was awarded to an individual from Bkassine in
Jezzine.
USAID Holds Meeting With Partners on Agriculture
USAID held its first thematic meeting of 2006 with its partners working in the agricultural sector on April 11, 2006. The meeting
gathered all USAID’s partners that have programs under the agriculture portfolio, namely ACDI/ VOCA, SRI International, Mercy
Corps, World Vision, the Cooperative Housing Foundation (CHF) and the World Rehabilitation Fund (WRF). The meeting was an
opportunity for USAID’s partners to present their latest progress, discuss the issues they are facing, as well as ensure
complementarity in the implementation of the various components of the program.
USAID Assists SMEs
Under USAID’s agriculture portfolio, Agriculture Cooperative Development International/Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative
Assistance (ACDI-VOCA) held two kick-off meetings for small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) in the Chambers of Commerce
of Saida in South Lebanon and Zahle in the Beqaa. The purpose of the two meetings was to introduce SMEs to the USAID-funded
ASAIL project. The workshop in Saida gathered 27 SMEs working on dry biscuit and traditional Lebanese sweets, while the one in
Zahle targeted 21 SMEs specializing in fruits and vegetables. The Action for Sustainable Agro-Industry in Lebanon (ASAIL) project
promotes the sectors of small ruminants and niche Lebanese products through enhancing their competitiveness, increasing rural
economic opportunities and improving access to credit. The project’s main beneficiaries are SMEs, producers and processors in
these sectors.
World Water Day
On the occasion of World Water Day, Development Alternatives Inc. (DAI) conducted a water fair at a high school in Saida in South
Lebanon. The activity falls under a comprehensive awareness campaign on water conservation under USAID’s Lebanon Water Policy
Program (LWPP), targeting school students in South Lebanon. 310 students from 22 schools participated in this event and prepared
projects on water conservation. At the end of the fair, USAID, DAI and the South Lebanon Water and Wastewater Establishment
(SLWWE) distributed prizes to winners.
National Olive Oil Contest
On the occasion of HORECA exhibition that took place in late March 2006 at BIEL, SRI International organized a widely attended
national olive oil contest to determine the best tasting Lebanese extra virgin olive oil, and the best presented olive oil bottle and label.
36 entrants participated in the competition, while the general public was invited to taste and vote for their favorite oil. At the awards
ceremony held on the last day of the exhibition, USAID/Lebanon Mission Director Raouf Youssef and the Minister of Agriculture
announced the first three winners for both categories. The best olive oil bottle presentation prize was awarded to the Rene Mouwad
Foundation (RMF) for its Zaytouna Extra Virgin Olive Oil, while the best tasting prize was awarded to an individual from Bkassine in
Jezzine.
USAID Holds Meeting With Partners on Agriculture
USAID held its first thematic meeting of 2006 with its partners working in the agricultural sector on April 11, 2006. The meeting
gathered all USAID’s partners that have programs under the agriculture portfolio, namely ACDI/ VOCA, SRI International, Mercy
Corps, World Vision, the Cooperative Housing Foundation (CHF) and the World Rehabilitation Fund (WRF). The meeting was an
opportunity for USAID’s partners to present their latest progress, discuss the issues they are facing, as well as ensure
complementarity in the implementation of the various components of the program.
USAID Assists SMEs
Under USAID’s agriculture portfolio, Agriculture Cooperative Development International/Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative
Assistance (ACDI-VOCA) held two kick-off meetings for small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) in the Chambers of Commerce
of Saida in South Lebanon and Zahle in the Beqaa. The purpose of the two meetings was to introduce SMEs to the USAID-funded
ASAIL project. The workshop in Saida gathered 27 SMEs working on dry biscuit and traditional Lebanese sweets, while the one in
Zahle targeted 21 SMEs specializing in fruits and vegetables. The Action for Sustainable Agro-Industry in Lebanon (ASAIL) project
promotes the sectors of small ruminants and niche Lebanese products through enhancing their competitiveness, increasing rural
economic opportunities and improving access to credit. The project’s main beneficiaries are SMEs, producers and processors in
these sectors.
Thank you
Walid Maalouf
Director
Public Diplomacy for Middle Eastern & MEPI Affairs
US Agency for International Development
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20523
Phone (202) 712-5161
Fax (202) 216-3237
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Following are USAID activities in Lebanon
USAID Signs Eight New Partnership Agreements
USAID/Lebanon signed partnership agreements with eight organizations totaling US $38.2 million at the end of 2005, to increase
economic development, job opportunities and raise the standard of living in Lebanese communities. The agreements are for projects
to be carried out between November 2005 and November 2007, and attest to the long-term commitment of the United States to the
people of Lebanon. The eight partners will work in the development fields of agriculture, tourism and information and communication
technology. On the agriculture level, Agriculture Cooperative Development International/Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative
Assistance (ACDI-VOCA), World Vision, Cooperative Housing Foundation (CHF) and Mercy Corps will receive a total of $24.6
million to implement programs throughout Lebanon, covering the sectors of organic agriculture, fruits, fodder (fresh animal feed),
fisheries, olive oil, pine nuts and beekeeping. The American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA) and ECODIT will both receive $5.2
million to implement projects aiming at boosting economic opportunities in the tourism sector. SRI International and the International
Executive Service Corps (IESC) will both receive $8.4 million to assist in the development of rural businesses through information and
communication technology.
USAID Trains Judges on Intellectual Property Rights
With USAID funding under the Professional Training Program (PTP) administered by AMIDEAST, two Lebanese judges and two
Lebanese prosecutors attended two separate training sessions on Intellectual Property Rights Regional Judicial Program and
Intellectual Property Rights Regional Prosecutorial Program held in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) and Muscat (Oman) on January 18
and 22, 2006. Organized by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the programs focused on training the judges
and prosecutors on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) enforcement through presentations, panel discussions, case studies and group
exercises. The topics covered types of IPR, IPR laws and cases from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, international
standards and obligations for IPR enforcement, judicial perspectives on IPR litigation, private sector perspectives on counterfeiting
trends in the MENA Region, adjudicating and management of IPR litigation, digital/copyright piracy, and damages and sentencing in
IPR cases.
Lebanese Olive Oil in San Francisco
In partnership with SRI International, USAID funded the Lebanese food booths at the San Francisco Fancy Food Show on January 22-
24, 2006. Located in the International Exhibitors Hall, the Lebanese section represented Lebanese olive oil as a high-end specialty
food, and exposed Lebanon as a fine cuisine country. On this occasion, SRI showcased three brands of Lebanese olive oil –
Traditions du Liban, Campagnia, and Al Khalil – in addition to Al Wadi Lebanese specialty products. The show generated 42 leads
among gourmet markets, delis, caterers, oil distributors and retailers with strong prospects for purchase.
USAID Signs MOU with Lebanese Parliament
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between USAID and the Lebanese Parliament in December 2005 to cover program
activities to be implemented by the Center for Legislative Development at the State University of New York (SUNY/CLD). USAID’s
assistance includes policy dialogue trips for Members of Parliament, workshops, seminars, training, and provision of information and
communication technology equipment and software for Parliamentary committees and for administrative offices. The program will
interact mainly with civil society groups and non-governmental organizations in particular with respect to the use of information
technology by government institutions, with emphasis on the role of citizens in the formulation of public policy.
USAID Helps the Alzheimer's Association of Lebanon Reach Out to Patients and Caregivers
With USAID’s assistance in the amount of $47,000, the Alzheimer's Association of Lebanon (AAL) inaugurated their new office on
January 26, 2006, also launching on the same occasion the translated edition of The Best Friends Approach to Alzheimer's Care.
USAID donated medical and office equipment to the center, as well as covered the fees for printing the book, which is the first book
on Alzheimer's disease in Arabic. The book will be distributed free of charge to caregivers, institutions for the elderly, nurses, students
and other professionals in Lebanon. It is estimated that there are currently more than 30,000 cases of Alzheimer’s diseases in
Lebanon, and about 1.5 million throughout the Arab world.
USAID Funds Workshop on Workers’ Rights
Through the Transparency and Accountability Grants (TAG) program managed by AMIDEAST, USAID funded a worker’s rights
workshop in partnership with the Center for Middle- Eastern Strategic Studies (CESMO). Held in Koura in North Lebanon, the
workshop gathered more than 200 representatives from labour unions, employer unions, National Social Security Fund (NSSF)
officials, non-governmental organization activists, workers, and CESMO volunteers. The workshop is part of a project that aims at
promoting workers’ rights in North Lebanon through awareness on their rights and responsibilities as stipulated in the Lebanese
labour law. 50,000 copies of a booklet on employees’ rights and benefits will be produced and distributed to employers and
employees.
Development Cooperative Holds Annual Community Gathering
The Development Cooperative in Jezzine in South Lebanon organized its second Annual Community Gathering last month, followed
by a dinner, in the presence of members of the cooperative and representatives of the various project stakeholders. The purpose of
the meeting was to update all relevant parties on major achievements and challenges, as well to promote the Cooperative’s activities.
On this occasion, a donation of one million Lebanese Pounds (about USD 667) was made to the cooperative. Through the World
Rehabilitation Fund (WRF), USAID is assisting the cooperative in income-generating activities that help landmine and war victims
and their families lead more productive lives.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you,
Walid Maalouf
Director
Public Diplomacy for Middle Eastern & MEPI Affairs
US Agency for International Development
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20523
Phone (202) 712-5161
Fax (202) 216-3237
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