Ministers promise reconstruction during south Lebanon tour, contingent on funding

SOUTH LEBANON — Labor Minister Mohammad Haidar and Social Affairs Minister Haneen Sayed each visited southern Lebanon and Nabatieh on Saturday to assess the extensive damage caused by Israeli attacks.

During their visits, they pledged to launch reconstruction efforts ‘’as soon as the necessary funding is secured.’’

Arriving in the morning at the government serail in Saida, where he was received by the representative of the governor of south Lebanon, Mansour Daou, as well as local officials and union representatives, Haidar listened to the concerns of business owners and workers in the industrial, agricultural and commercial sectors affected by Israeli attacks.

Discussions focused on compensation, improving National Social Security Fund services and other measures to help residents remain on their land and resume their activities, according to the state-run National News Agency (NNA).

’’We are here to listen to you, visit economic sectors, understand the situation of workers and assess conditions on the ground in preparation for the next phase. We also want to know what you need before resuming your activities so that you can contribute to the recovery of Saida and the south,’’ Haidar said.

He added that the damage inflicted on the industrial, agricultural and commercial sectors, as well as private property in south Lebanon, had been documented in a report he presented to international organizations during a conference in Geneva. The report has also been sent to the Arab Labor Organization and will be presented to the Arab League next week, he said.

Haidar later visited the industrial zone in Sour, where he observed what he described as the scale of the destruction. He said Israel was seeking to ‘’destroy the means of production and prevent residents from returning to Sour and the South.’’

’’The people of the south remain determined to continue their activities and stay on their land,’’ he said, reiterating the government’s commitment to launch reconstruction efforts once funding is secured. He added that reconstruction programs are being prepared and contacts are underway to secure financing as quickly as possible, while calling on the international community to assume its responsibilities and ensure an end to Israeli attacks.

Financial aid for 130,000 families

During the day, Sayed visited Nabatieh, where she also spoke of a ‘’broad reconstruction plan’’ under preparation, saying the government was working to secure funding while announcing financial assistance for 130,000 families.

"The government is currently working on a comprehensive relief and reconstruction plan, the details of which will be announced soon,’’ she said.

"Today, we are in Nabatieh to support the sustainable return of residents. This requires a lasting cease-fire, a goal for which the president of the republic and the prime minister are working every day. The gradual return of displaced residents is an encouraging sign,’’ she added.

Sayed said the return plan includes identifying homes that are ready to accommodate returning residents in coordination with municipalities, as well as establishing temporary housing centers where displaced people could stay for up to one year, or longer if necessary.

Regarding financial assistance, she said the government is working to expand existing support programs. She noted that payments under the Aman social assistance program are continuing and that 50,000 additional families will soon be enrolled.

’"At the same time, we are implementing another exceptional cash assistance program for displaced people as well as residents who remained in their villages. In total, 130,000 families will benefit from this program, which is separate from the Aman program. In Nabatieh and its district alone, 29,000 families will benefit,’’ she said.

Despite the framework agreement reached between Lebanon and Israel, the Israeli army continues to occupy parts of southern Lebanon and carry out demolition operations there. The conflict, particularly in south Lebanon, displaced more than 1 million people and killed more than 4,000, making it far more devastating than the 2023-24 fighting.