A UN-HABITAT project team in Lebanon helping rebuild the living environment in 21 towns around the country recently briefed the Cypriot Foreign Minister, Mrs. Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis, on progress in a post-conflict rehabilitation programme for which the Development Assistance Agency of the Republic of Cyprus (Cyprusaid) has provided 500,000 euros through UN-HABITAT. At the meeting 8 November, the UN-HABITAT team showed the foreign minister and other officials where and how the funds were being used to help rebuild thousands of homes that were destroyed or damaged in Israeli air raids last year. The project entails the establishment of UN-HABITAT monitoring stations, known as local urban observatories, in the towns of Tyre, Bint Jbeil and Marjeoun, to enable municipalities and the communities they serve to plan and manage the process efficiently. The project is also aimed at ensuring better municipal governance, bridge repairs, and reaching decisions on any projects for which urgent financing is required. Municipalities will also benefit from technical assistance and capacity building activities to enhance their role in service delivery, community participation and improving governance practices. |
