Project Details

The project comprises a reconstruction and development plan of Southern Lebanon and West Bekaa, which requires an investment of USD 150m annually over a period of 10 years.

Description of Actual Services Provided:

TEAM International, in JV with IAURIF and others, was commissioned by the High Relief Committee to prepare a socio-economic recovery and development plan for the occupied territories in South Lebanon and Bekaa Gharbi.

A comprehensive study was carried out to set the requirements for reconstruction and development of the region. A plan was developed guided by the directives of sustainable development, active involvement of the private sector and mobilizing local resources, improving the participation of women, improving the standard of living and protecting the environment and natural wealth.

Based on extensive surveys and studies, six complementary axes of intervention were identified:

1- Infrastructure development, especially roads, water and sewerage networks, transportation, telecommunication and electrical networks, schools and public buildings.
2- An environmental rehabilitation of specific sites, essentially for the economic and social development.
3- Economic development oriented towards job creation and production in services and industry, and towards a modernization of agriculture; with the priority of starting businesses and mobilization of private investments.
4- Human resource development, through training and job creation.
5- Rehabilitation of the public administration in the South for improving the efficiency of government and municipal services.
6- Mobilizing public and private investments and the promotion of the economic growth in South Lebanon.

This proposed program was phased as follows:

Phase 1 includes what is feasible and recommended to be undertaken immediately, in spite of occupation and conflict, including mostly actions towards preserving the development potentials and easing the transition from an economy of aid to one of development.

Phase 2 corresponds to what needs to be done just after withdrawal and cessation of hostilities. This includes post-conflict interventions and in particular the resettlement of the displaced and the reconstruction; and the entirety of the development program.