UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency and its partner INTERSOS today inaugurated a solar energy system in one of the biggest water wells in Damour village. Through this project, a solar-powered system, including 248 solar panels, now operates the pump in the water well that provides sustainable safe drinking water to over 80 per cent of the residents of Damour, including over 6,000 Lebanese and 1,500 refugees. The ceremony was attended by Ms. Marlene Kahwaji, Chouf Qaem Maqam, Ms. Ioli Kimyaci, UNHCR Deputy Representative for Operations, Mr. Frederic Cussigh, UNHCR Head of Office in Beirut and Mount Lebanon, Mr. Amir Mounif, Beirut-Mount Lebanon MoSA coordinator, Ms. Farah Doughan, Ministry of Interior Coordinator in Mount Lebanon, Mr. Charles Ghafari, Mayor of Damour, and other municipal members. ‘The energy crisis in Lebanon has severely affected access to safe and sustainable water to millions across the country. One of UNHCR’s priorities in recent years has been to invest in innovative solutions to Lebanon’s energy crisis, like this project in Damour, where solar panels now ensure continuous water pumping and functionality of the chlorination system, resulting in clean and safe water for the residents of the town’, said Ioli Kimyaci, UNHCR Deputy Representative for Operations in Lebanon. The project significantly decreased costs related to water supply in the village. ‘The impact of this project is to ensure that the residents of Damour can have water in their homes, but also, to ensure that health centres, institutions and schools have sustained and clean water. Thanks to this project, with the use of solar energy, the town can save over 50 per cent in the monthly cost of fuel which can now be redirected to supporting other needs in the village,’ said Mr. Charles Ghafari, Mayor of Damour. As part of its ongoing support to communities across Lebanon, throughout 2022, UNHCR and partners have implemented innovative solutions through over 74 community support projects. These projects have increased Lebanese and refugees’ access to sustainable energy by providing solar-powered electricity to primary healthcare centres, governmental hospitals, water establishment stations and streetlights, benefiting over 1.5 million persons in more than 84 villages across the country. Over the past 12 months, over 500,000 individuals, Lebanese and refugees, benefited from UNHCR projects in Beirut and Mount Lebanon alone.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon