2006 Press Releases

Sale of American Wheat to Support Programs for Children

Jan. 24, 2006

U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey D. Feltman inspected the second of two donations of wheat grain, totaling 12000 metric tons, on board the American vessel S.S. Marie Flood, at the Port of Beirut, January 24, 2006. The shipment is a gift from the American people made available through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Proceeds from the sale of the wheat (approximately 2.3 million U.S. dollars) will be used to support education and nutrition programs for school children in impoverished areas of Lebanon administered by the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC). USAID Mission Director Raouf Youssef also attended the ceremony.

At a ceremony held on board the vessel, Ambassador Feltman said: “As U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon, I am proud that this wheat, harvested from America’s fertile and productive lands, can contribute to the growth and development of Lebanon’s younger generation. From seeds planted in United States, this wheat finances programs that enable Lebanese children, from all of this country’s rich diversity of communities, to learn, grow and thrive. And with the courage and determination of the Lebanese people, the country they inherit will offer a secure, prosperous and hopeful future."

The IOCC has administered the school feeding and education implementation program, with U.S. Government funding, for the past four years. The program includes providing mid-morning snacks to 46,000 students ages 4 – 11 in 245 public schools located in the areas of South Lebanon (Hasbaya, Bint Jbeil, Marjeyoun, Tyre and Jezzine), North Lebanon (Akkar, Tripoli, Zgharta and Koura and Batroun) as well as Greater Beirut. U.S. Government funding will provide IOCC with an additional $5 million U.S. dollars to cover costs of the program, implemented in partnership with the Lebanese Ministry of Education.

Proceeds from the wheat sale, will also finance IOCC programs aimed at enhancing the learning environment for students and teachers by providing school supplies, furniture and recreational equipment. The program also includes repair of sanitary facilities and dilapidated buildings for the purpose of having a safe and healthy environment. Capacity building activities include computer and communication skills training, parental involvement, and the organization of health and nutrition awareness seminars. Child health issues, such as reporting and following up on ailments affecting school children, is also a component of the project. These efforts are carried out in conjunction with municipalities, NGOs and activists to ensure the Law on Education is fully implemented. This law, ratified by Parliament in March 1998, states that basic education for children is free and compulsory until the age of 12 years.