USAID Lebanon: From the American People
 

PRESS RELEASE

USAID COMPLETES OIL SPILL CLEANUP

Friday, March 13, 2009

Beirut, Lebanon

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Lebanon successfully completed the cleanup of forty-three different locations along a sixty kilometer stretch of the northern seashore from Tabarja to Enfeh. These sites were selected in close coordination with the Ministry of Environment.

The $5.8 million project, which started in September, 2006, was beneficial environmentally as well as economically.   During the project, over 220 local laborers were hired to support the clean-up using local machinery, equipment, caterers, and transporters.  Over 100 fishermen’s boats were rapidly cleaned at the Byblos Port Jetty, allowing the fishermen to resume fishing quickly so they could generate income for their families.  Following the clean-up, several tourist areas, marinas, hotels and beach resorts were able to resume their normal activities.

USAID collected approximately 1,300 cubic meters of oil-contaminated waste and 1,500 cubic meters of oil-contaminated sand from all locations. The last part of the project was the transport of 1,500 cubic meters of contaminated sand from an interim storage location in Byblos to a designated area in Beirut. The transport was authorized, guided and supervised by the Ministry of Environment.

USAID has worked in Lebanon since 1951 and implemented development projects to benefit Lebanese citizens. With funds from the American people, USAID creates jobs, invests in youth and protects the environment.  USAID’s work reflects the strong friendship between the Lebanese and American people.