U.S. Announces an Additional $17.8 Million for UNRWA and Lebanese Communities near Nahr al-Barid

September 11, 2008

Ambassador Michele J. Sison announced today that the U.S. Government will increase its support for rebuilding the Nahr al-Barid Palestinian refugee camp and helping Lebanese communities in the area of the camp.

At the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Donors Conference in Beirut, Ambassador Sison announced that the United States has provided to UNRWA an additional 17.81 million for reconstruction and relief for the Nahr al-Barid refugee camp, in recognition of the critical importance of rebuilding the camp and sustaining the lives of those displaced.  Of this new money, 13.5 million is for Nahr al-Barid reconstruction, bringing the total Fiscal Year 2008 U.S. contribution to UNRWA for reconstruction to 23.5 million.  This contribution also includes 4.31 million to UNRWA to provide emergency shelter, health, and education to those displaced from Nahr al-Barid.

In June, the United States also allocated an additional $12.5 million to Lebanese communities in the Tripoli area.  With $6 million, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will revitalize the surrounding Lebanese communities by repairing damaged infrastructure, reinvigorating the private sector to enhance job opportunities, and rebuilding the capacity of the local governments to provide citizen services.  The U.S.-Lebanon police program, with $6.5 million, will provide a community policing program, a new police station and the development of community-oriented public spaces.  The community policing program will include problem solving, conflict resolution and communications skills enhancement.

Since 2006, the United States has committed over $1 billion to Lebanon.  The United States is committed to supporting the government of Lebanon and its institutions as they continue to safeguard the peace, unity and sovereignty of Lebanon.