press releases 2007

USAID Continues To Support Enhanced Food Production

November 21, 2007

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Director, Raouf Youssef, presented a check for $50,000 to the Ahlouna organization in Saida.  This money will be used to procure necessary equipment so that Ahlouna can expand its specialty food production unit and showroom.The new equipment will increase production capacity, thus also increasing sales revenues.   Ahlouna’s food production center was constructed by a USAID-funded project in collaboration with the Cooperative Housing Foundation (CHF).
Ahlouna is a non-governmental organization, established in 2000, which provides job opportunities to more than 140 women in Saida and the surrounding area. The organization also provides social assistance, health and educational services to more than 1,200 underprivileged families in the Saida region. The revenues generated from the food production facility fund Ahlouna’s other activities.

Since 1951, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has worked in Lebanon funding development projects to benefit Lebanese citizens. USAID’s program promotes economic opportunities, job creation, good governance and environmental policies and practices in rural Lebanon. USAID strengthens the relationship between the people of Lebanon and the people of the United States, and promotes a shared vision of democracy and socio-economic development.