A boy crossing the floodwaters in an informal camp on the outskirts of Summaqieh, a border village in Akkar, in the North. (Credit: João Sousa)
Launched in 2020 under the aegis of the French Development Agency (AFD) and the Danish Foreign Affairs Ministry, the project "Rofaqa'a al-Nahr" ("River Companions") tackles a recurring scourge in Lebanon: floods which, every winter season, harshly affect Bekaa (eastern Lebanon) and Akkar (northern Lebanon). In these regions, main and secondary roads are often transformed into large water expanses, while localities face torrents of mud. This situation severely complicates the movement of inhabitants and their agricultural activities.
On Thursday, a press conference was held at the headquarters of the National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS) in Beirut by Environment Minister Tamara Elzein, French Ambassador Hervé Magro and Danish Ambassador Kristoffer Vivike to give an update on the project's progress. Its implementation was delayed by the multiple crises shaking the country since 2019, notably the last war against Israel between October 2023 and November 2024.
Endowed with a budget of 13.8 million euros, this program, led by the French NGO Solidarités International, relies on a network of actors: the Lebanese and French Red Cross, as well as the CNRS, the scientific arm of the state. Coordination has thus been established between the Environment Ministry and Solidarités International, while the Lebanese Red Cross ensures community mobilization and the training of emergency response teams. The project adopts an integrated flood risk management approach, combining early warning systems, structural interventions and strengthening local capacities.
Within this project, infrastructure work was designed for two waterways: the Oustouane River in Akkar and the Ghozail River in Bekaa. However, the recent war with Israel, which did not spare Bekaa, led to the reallocation of funds initially earmarked for Ghozail (about 800,000 euros) towards the war-related emergency response. While the technical studies for Bekaa have already been completed, the implementation of works has been postponed indefinitely. In Akkar, infrastructure projects are expected to resume soon.
'Scientific approach in public policies'
The Environment Minister indicated during her intervention that “the reconstruction of Lebanon should also include establishing infrastructures aimed at curbing floods in the country,” while highlighting the urgency of a “scientific approach in public policies.” She recalled that scientific research on risks is now part of the ministerial declaration of Nawaf Salam’s government, “a major advance that is at the heart of the Cabinet's strategy.” The minister also praised the World Bank's key role in coping with climate change-related natural disasters, debris management, forest fires and floods.
Magro emphasized on his part that with the “renewal of Lebanon, France and Denmark continue their commitment to help the country face crises caused by extreme weather events.” As for the Danish ambassador, he thanked the various parties for their commitment, stating that his country is “proud of the role played by the different stakeholders of the project” and that it “welcomes the progress made.”
This article was translated from L'Orient-Le Jour.
