UNICEF – Improving drinking water quality in Lebanon


Lebanon’s water sector is at risk of collapse. Therefore Switzerland, in partnership with UNICEF supports the provision of safe water through the public service. The proposed intervention is critical to the water sector and serves as emergency support to the population to avoid impacts of collapsed water systems such as cholera. It also lays the ground for longer-term improved water quality in Lebanon.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Lebanon
Water
Water supply
Water sanitation
Water sector policy
01.06.2024 - 31.05.2026
CHF  2’700’000
Background Lebanon continues to struggle with multiple crises including the presence of over 1 million Syrian refugees since 2013, the consequences of an economic collapse since October 2019, the COVID pandemic, the Beirut Port Explosion in August 2020, a cholera outbreak in October 2022 and, most recently, the renewed conflict with Israel in October 2023. Public services have been badly affected by these multiple crises and this includes the public water supply.
Objectives Girls, boys, women and men especially the most vulnerable have increased use of clean and safe water.
Target groups

Direct: 2.4 mio persons including girls, boys, women and men. 10 informal settlements for Syrian Refugees.

Indirect: Ministry of Energy and Water, Regional Water Establishments and Universities will also benefit from this intervention.

Medium-term outcomes

Outcome 1: Water Establishments recover and extend their capacity to deliver quality water and wastewater services.

Outcome 2: Poor and marginalised communities have increased capacity to access cost-effective gender-responsive and disability-inclusive WASH services and practice appropriate behaviours.

Outcome 3: The government has improved its capacity to develop relevant policies, regulations and mechanisms to support climate-resilient, financially viable, people centred recovery in the water sector.

Results

Expected results:  

Output 1.1: Public water systems are supplied with properly chlorinated water by Water Establishments.

Output 2.1: Syrian refugees living in informal settlements have access to sustainable safe water supply.

Output 3.1: A comprehensive strategy for ensuring proper water quality management in Lebanon is prepared, disseminated and adopted.


Results from previous phases:  

UNICEF has covered the repair and maintenance of a total of 174 repairs and maintenance interventions provided. The repairs performed throughout the project sustained the delivery of around 90,000 m3/day, reaching more than 1 million persons.

UNICEF has supported the WEs in repairing 62 chlorination systems, treating around 70,000 m3/day. This action was critical to mitigating the impact of the cholera outbreak on the four Water Establishments.


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Project partners Contract partner
United Nations Organization (UNO)
  • United Nations Children’s Fund


Coordination with other projects and actors EU, ICRC, KFW, EU-AFD, US and BWMP.
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    2’700’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    1’350’000 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF   2’800’000 Budget inclusive project partner CHF   5’500’000
Project phases Phase 2 01.06.2024 - 31.05.2026   (Current phase)