Samantha Power, the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), on Wednesday announced $8.5 million in funding for Lebanon that will support 22 new solar-powered water pumping projects in Lebanon. These projects, which will be completed over the next two years, will serve more than 150 towns and villages and benefit over half a million Lebanese citizens and refugees by providing reliable access to water and decreasing operating costs and dependence on fuel to those who desperately need it.
“USAID has supported 41 solar energy projects to date benefiting 460,000 residents in 70 Lebanese towns and villages. In addition to providing a much-needed source of electricity, solar-powered water pumping projects also refurbish the stations’ chlorination equipment. Pumping chlorinated water to towns is particularly critical as the country addresses an unprecedented cholera outbreak,” the U.S. Embassy said in a statement.
Administrator Power made the announcement while touring a solar-powered water pumping site in West Bekaa, which provides energy to a water pump that supplies water to 19,000 residents, including 12,350 Lebanese residents and 6,650 refugees from neighboring countries.
USAID will employ local firms for engineering design and construction of the new sites, ensuring the employment opportunities of these projects benefit the local economy and strengthen job security. “USAID is committed to helping the Lebanese people in this time of economic crisis and will continue to support their work to combat corruption and advance economic growth and stability,” the statement said.
Source. Naharnet