Locations
Lebanon Host Communities Support (LHSP)
Lebanon Host Communities Support (LHSP)
Summary
Following the spill-over from the Syria war and the influx of over one million refugees into Lebanon, and in light of multiple protracted socio-economic crises in the country, the UNDP Lebanon Host Community Support Project (LHSP) was established to strengthen social stability, support livelihoods, and mitigate inter and intra communal tensions and conflicts at the level of vulnerable communities affected by the crises.
Through an area-based approach, LHSP identifies projects and analyses root causes on tension through a participatory and conflict-sensitive methodology called the Mechanisms for Stability and Local Development (MSLD). Through short to medium and longer-term sustainable solutions, LHSP contributes to building trust towards development planning, reducing competition for basic services in vulnerable communities, supporting local economic development, and income generation opportunities, while also focusing on enhancing the capacities of key local actors, such as municipalities and civil society organizations, to strengthen local governance and promote anti-corruption behaviours and incentives.
Background
Lebanon continues to host the largest refugee per capita population in the world as it also faces a number of protracted crises including: a financial and economic crisis that has induced systemic macro-financial failures; an exchange rate collapse; triple digits inflation rates; a severe economic contraction; effects of the COVID-19 pandemic; and the Beirut Port Blast that destroyed many neighbourhoods in the capital in August 2020. The recent unfolding situation in Lebanon at the political, economic, and financial levels is further increasing the pressures on the population residing in the country.
Tension monitoring data in 2021 shows a dramatic increase in risks to social stability both at the intercommunal (Lebanese - Syrian) and intracommunal (Lebanese – Lebanese) levels, deteriorating community insecurity with increasing incidents, increased politicization of the refugee case, surge in hate speech on social media, increased sectarian and political strife, and increased vulnerability.
Women and vulnerable groups (youth, people with disabilities, migrant workers) remain subject to disparities and unequal conditions. According to UN Women, Lebanon has amongst the lowest global rates of women’s labour market participation, hovering at 29%. Risks of gender-based violence are further exacerbated due to COVID-19 effects.
Amid this context, local authorities have been struggling to respond to the needs and issues within their domains. Hence, there is a need to plan investment in a strategic manner and in coordination with the relevant stakeholders to support municipalities in the delivery of strategic services, and to invest in governance strategies including corruption risk management, financial accountability, and transparency to enhance their credibility and strategic role at the local and national levels.
Collaborating Partners:
- Ministry of Social Affairs
- Ministry of Interior and Municipalities
- Council for Development and Reconstruction
- Line Ministries (Energy and Water, Agriculture, Environment… etc.)
- Governorates, Municipalities, and Unions of Municipalities
- Civil Society Organizations and NGOs
- Private Sector
Major achievements
From 2014-2021:
- Over 2.9 million beneficiaries reached
- 667 projects implemented in the sectors of Basic Services and Livelihoods
- in 245 municipalities and 26 clusters/unions of municipalities
Adaptive Response 2020-2021
UNDP implemented a non-health response to COVID-19 through supporting 347 SMEs, 109 Cooperatives, 2,834 farmers, and 24 CBOs in the sectors of agriculture, agro-food, forest management, and PPE production. The interventions generated more than 600,000 worker days out of which 30% for women.
UNDP supported eight Government-led isolation centres all over Lebanon to address the health hazard of COVID-19 through the following activities: rehabilitation works, procurement of non-medical equipment, coverage of fuel and electricity costs, food distribution and cleaning services. The centres served a total of 383 patients within August and December 2020.
In response to the Beirut Blast of August 4, LHSP:
- Supported the rehabilitation and equipment of 64 shops damaged by the blast in the area of Karantina
- Provided cash assistance for stock recovery to 83 businesses
- Supported the restoration of livelihoods through supporting the recovery of local micro and small enterprises affected by the Beirut Blast in the sectors of hospitality, design and crafts, food production, and retail (40-50 local MSMEs and entrepreneurs in the areas of Karantina, Geitawi, Rmeil, and Medawar)
Project Outcomes
The project aims to:
- Strengthen the capacity of local stakeholders to assess and respond to the needs of the community in the design and delivery of interventions in a conflict-sensitive and participatory manner.
- Reduce competition for basic services in vulnerable communities
- Generate income for vulnerable Lebanese and Syrian refugees through intensive labour activities supporting rapid employment schemes
- Increase jobs opportunities particularly for vulnerable women, disabled persons, and youth
GESI Component:
LHSP aims to place gender equality at the heart of its approach. Interventions are planned at the individual, community and cluster levels to respond to women’s practical and strategic needs. This includes improving women’s access to and ability to benefit from inclusive and gender-responsive infrastructure, supporting women’s participation in decision-making, and promoting women’s access to and control of economic resources and opportunities. These factors, in turn, support women in earning and controlling a liveable income towards building greater resilience to economic shocks and risks.