ACT Situation Report

Lebanon 0107

ACT appeal MELB61 - Lebanon humanitarian crisis (Revision 1)

Geneva, January 17, 2007

Information provided by Bobby Waddell, ACT coordinator in Lebanon

SECURITY SITUATION

There are ongoing political protests, although the numbers of demonstrators seem to be decreasing given the cold weather during the past month. Weekly security meetings of ACT members working in Lebanon provide an opportunity to share incidents, updates, etc. among these agencies and other NGOs.

ACTIVITIES OF ACT MEMBER MIDDLE EAST COUNCIL OF CHURCHES IN ITS RESPONSE, CARRIED OUT BY ITS INTER-CHURCH NETWORK FOR DEVELOPMENT AND RELIEF IN LEBANON (ICNDR)

Distribution of non-food items (note: figures are rounded):

Tree seedlings: 35,000 of the planned 54,000 have been distributed and planted; the remainder will be completed by January 26.

Bee hives: 375 of a planned 1,500 already distributed; 260 more will be distributed by January 26; the remainder are still being constructed and will be distributed by February 10.

Heaters: All 990 heaters have been distributed; fuel for heaters: 98,000 liters of the planned 99,000 liters have been distributed; the remainder will be distributed this week.

Blankets: 2,300 of the planned 4,300 blankets have been distributed; distributions are ongoing and will be complete by January 26.

Psychosocial activities

Five of the planned seven entertainment events have taken place; the remaining two will take place next week. A training of trainers in psychosocial care is being conducted in the last two weeks of January; Vocational training is underway and will be completed by the end of January. One trip for the elderly has taken place, and another will occur before the end of January.

Water and sanitation activities (carried out by ACT member Norwegian Church Aid)

The Norwegian Church Aid coordinator in Lebanon and the water engineer plan to leave the country on January 30, having completed their mission.

ADMINISTRATION AND COORDINATION OF ACT MEMBER WORK IN LEBANON

An audit of ICNDR funds is scheduled for February (dates to be confirmed).

Visitors:

• Three program staff members from the Oslo office of Norwegian Church Aid, January 25-30.
• Three London-based Middle East program staff members of ACT member Christian Aid, January 15-26. (Christian Aid plans to appoint a national coordinator in Lebanon to be the link between its national partners and the London office.)

A gathering of all ACT members in the ACT Lebanon Forum is scheduled for January 25, following from the November 29 inaugural meeting of the forum. This will coincide with the departure of three international staff (one from ACT member DanChurchAid and the ACT coordinator and finance staff member). The visiting NCA and Christian Aid staff members will also attend this gathering, which will provide an opportunity to further networking among all the ACT members working in Lebanon.