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Supporting Lebanese regions affected by influx of refugees from Syria

ZAHLE, Lebanon, 7 April 2015 – Vocational training courses for Syrian refuges and vulnerable Lebanese host communities were organized in Zahle, in the Lebanese Bekaa region, by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) together with the Ministry of Industry.

Implemented in cooperation with a number of national counterparts and private sector partners, the courses were part of the project “Supporting host communities affected by the high influx of Syrian refugees in Lebanon”.

Initiated in 2014 with financial support from the Government of Japan, the project is supporting economic recovery and helping increase local capacities to cope with the effects of the regional crisis. Lebanon, a country of 4.5 million inhabitants, has been adversely affected by the influx of approximately 1.5 million Syrian nationals seeking refuge across the country.

Cristiano Pasini, UNIDO Representative in Lebanon, explained that the project supports small manufacturing enterprises in host communities based in the Bekaa region, Eastern Lebanon, helping stimulate job creation and livelihood. The project involves both host and displaced communities in joint training activities.

“We focus on fostering the capacity of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises to initiate economic revival and empower vulnerable members of both communities through productive activities,” said Pasini.

Dany Gedeon, Director General at the Lebanese Ministry of Industry, added that “the assistance provided over the years by the Ministry and UNIDO has strengthened the Lebanese private sector resilience. These efforts will pave the way for longer term development.”

For more information, please contact:

Cristiano Pasini
UNIDO Representative in Lebanon
See email