Ain Arab appeals to Government for economic assistance

The border village of Ain Arab, which lies in the Beqaa some 120 km from the capital Beirut, suffers from harsh economic and living conditions as a result of Israeli past occupation and decades of neglect. The majority of the reaming 400 residents of Ain Arab rely on agriculture and animal-raising for their livelihoods. It is to be noted that in the past the population of the village was 1300 inhabitants most of home moved out as a result of occupation and neglect by government which failed to provide inhabitants with the needed support particularly in agriculture in order that they steadfast on their land. Speaking to Al Diyar daily, one resident indicated that the marketing of local agriculture produces is the main priority followed by addressing environment related problems, particularly the settling up of a sewage system. He cited other problems like rare job prospects and the extensive presence in cultivated fields of mines and cluster bombs left by Israeli forces after the liberation of the South. The people of the town called on government to support agriculture and to provide them with much needed health and social services. (Al Diyar, 20 April 2015)