MAIN ACTIVITIES

ACF has implemented programs in southern Lebanon since July 23, 2006 to support and provide assistance to the victims of armed conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. This conflict has displaced about 900,000 people in southern Lebanon. ACF strategy in country aims to improve the living conditions of vulnerable populations affected by conflicts, focusing on food security and access to clean water and sanitation.

Food Security

• Strengthen agricultural cooperatives
• Distribution of seeds and tools
• Distribution of livestock, farm rehabilitation and veterinary programs of disease prevention
• Training for productivity enhancement
• Income generating activities
• Marketing techniques and access to micro credit channels

Water and sanitation

• Improved management of water resources and sanitation
• Improved water supply and distribution networks
• Greywater reutilization
• Rehabilitation and / or construction of water capture and distribution systems
• Training in water management

HUMANITARIAN CONTEXT

Southern Lebanon is a chronically affected area of the Middle East conflict. The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel began in 2006 andhas caused 1,200 deaths and more than 900 million USDin public infrastructures direct losses (roads, hospitals, schools, communications, electricity, etc.). The agricultural sector of Southern Lebanon was particularly affected because the war coincided with harvest time, forcing farmers to abandon their fields and livestock, losing a high percentage of their income and capital work.

The situation of these low-income rural households depending on agriculture is precarious. This structural vulnerability is exacerbated by continued instability in the region and recurrence of conflicts. The conflict had a significant negative impact on an already fragile situation affecting the macro and micro-economy in Lebanon. It also impeded the pace of development of many municipalities of South Lebanon, in particular the most structurally vulnerable Cazas of Bint Jbeil, Hasbaya and Marjayoun. Moreover, the last developments in the region, mainly the unrest in the neighbouring Syria, are affecting the livelihood of the poorest people and creating some division in an already unstable political scene.