UNDP supports the setting up of a traditional model village in Tell Zanoub || Newspaper (Arabic)

UNDP and the Live Lebanon Project in collaboration with Bank of Beirut and the Municipality of Tell Zenoub in the Western Bekaa opened yesterday the Tell Zenoub model traditional village.  The event was attended by the former Minister of Tourism, Mohammed Rahhal, the UN goodwill ambassador, Ms. Boran Bweiry, a representative of the Live Lebanon project Haneen Faqih, UNDP director, Raghed Assi, the marketing director at The Bank of Beirut and Arab Countries, Tarek Bilal, The Sahl union municipalities director Ibrahim Badran, in addition to heads of municipalities in the region.

The UNDP programme director Raghed Assi noted that UNDP involvement in this initiative aims at supporting the development of marginalized regions in Lebanon based on existing resources.  He referred to the provision of the Taef agreement notably the need to kick off a decentralization process in order to support local municipalities in strengthening local development.  He also pointed out that the Bekaa suffers from endemic neglect and that the UNDP will not spare any effort to help it despite the overwhelming global economic crisis.

It should be noted that the cost of the project which is the first of its kind in the Western Bekaa is circa USD 450,000 of which USD 60,000 has already been allocated and spent whilst the project stakeholders are now seeking to secure the remaining funds.

Source: Al-Mustaqbal 9 April 2013