This project aims to facilitate the recovery of Beirut through the rehabilitation of residential buildings/damaged households and a strategic public space impacted by the Beirut Port explosion – via an urban recovery approach and building back better, greener and more sustainably. This intervention complements existing projects implemented by diverse stakeholders – including UN- Habitat – to maximize the impact on the geographical location, which is of great importance to the economic recovery of the country.
 

The project activities focus on areas affected by the explosion, such as Gemmayzeh, Mar Mikhael and Karantina, targeting the Mar Mikhael Train Station which falls under the Directorate General of Railways and Public Transport.

Moreover, the project targets vulnerable populations, specifically female-headed households, refugees and vulnerable Lebanese. Men and women from the affected communities will be engaged in rehabilitation and construction activities, thus contributing to restore their livelihoods.

Nearly 500 individuals (100 families – disaggregated by age, gender,
and disability) in areas affected by the explosion have better access to
safe and adequate housing.

At least 3,000 persons (disaggregated by age, gender, and disability)
per month, from the affected and surrounding communities will have
access to safe and inclusive public space through the rehabilitation of
the existing non-functional old railway station.

UN-Habitat deployed staff to the Municipality of Beirut in the immediate aftermath of the explosion to support in assessing damaged buildings and provide expertise on digitizing the collected data using a simple and intuitive data gathering application and Geographical Information System. This close coordination with the concerned authorities will continue and places UN-Habitat at the heart of the coordination of the shelter/building back better response, thus enabling targeted interventions through the support of partners. This project intends to meet medium-term needs already expressed by national institutions.

The collaboration and coordination with other partners are essential from the onset of the project. This should happen through the Shelter Coordination Structure/System as it will allow for better synergies and will avoid duplication. The engagement of the MoB and the DGA will be crucial to facilitate the approvals process and ensure timely implementation of rehabilitation works.