U.S. Embassy Inaugurates New Building for the Azour Development Cooperative

November 10, 2008

Ambassador Michele J. Sison and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Lebanon Mission Director Denise A. Herbol inaugurated the new cooperative building in the village of Azour on November 10.  Representatives from the Jezzine Union of Municipalities, the World Rehabilitation Fund, the Azour Development Cooperative and dignitaries from the area attended the ceremony.

The construction of the Azour Development Cooperative’s new building was completed in the summer of 2008 with funding from the USAID/Leahy War Victims Fund. The building is designed to house all of the Cooperative’s income-generating activities.  These activities are chicken raising for egg and broiler production, beekeeping for honey and beeswax production, herb cultivation for distillation, and goat raising for meat and milk production.

Implemented by the World Rehabilitation Fund, the project initially established the Azour Development Cooperative as a unique resource center in response to the overwhelming needs of landmine survivors and victims of war in the district of Jezzine. The program assists disadvantaged landmine victims and war survivors and their families.  Currently 1,750 beneficiaries and their dependents benefit from this project.

USAID has worked in Lebanon since 1951 and implemented development projects to benefit Lebanese citizens. With funds from the American people, USAID creates jobs, invests in youth and protects the environment.  USAID’s work reflects the strong friendship between the Lebanese and American people.