In line with UN-Habitat’s efforts in response to the Port of Beirut explosions, the Regional Representative of UN-Habitat’s Regional Office for Arab States, Dr. Erfan Ali, visited Beirut, where he held several meetings with key officials in addition to an inspection tour of the damaged neighbourhoods and the programme’s work in Lebanon.
“It’s been more than one month since the port explosions. They are estimated to have caused between USD 1.9–2.3 billion damage to housing, affecting more than 350,000 residents. I am visiting Beirut to meet key partners and plan urban recovery with a view to build back better. Response measures will need to ensure fast recovery, provision of basic services and the preservation of housing, land and property rights,” said Ali.
To highlight the importance of the work carried out by local authorities in Lebanon, Ali met with the governor of Beirut, Marwan Abboud, in the presence of the mayor, Jamal Itani, and also met the mayor of Bourj Hammoud, Mardig Boghossian, where they discussed the needs of both municipalities in the restoration, reconstruction and securing housing and tenure for families who were rendered homeless by the blast.
At the United Nations level, Ali met with Deputy Special Coordinator of the United Nations, and the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Lebanon, Najat Rochdi, and several partner humanitarian agencies to ensure UN-Habitat’s complementary actions and role in the wider response of the humanitarian community under the leadership of the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator to prepare the reform, recovery and reconstruction framework for Lebanon.
Ali toured destroyed and affected neighbourhoods in Beirut and Bourj Hammoud to inspect the damages and work on the ground, where he also met with citizens, listened and assured them that UN-Habitat will continue its work to support those affected by the terrible tragedy.
