Health Ministry launches conflict reduction program to ease tension between Syrian refugees and Lebanese hosts

An institutional and community support project funded by the European Union with a grant of €20 million, and aimed at reaching over one million susceptible beneficiaries, with quality primary healthcare services, was launched Wednesday by Minister of Public Health Wael Abou Faour in a press conference at the Lebanese University Central Administration, in the presence of EU Ambassador Angelina Eichhorst, and Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Lebanon and UNHCR Representative in Lebanon Ninette Kelley.           

Under the banner 'Conflict Reduction through Improving Healthcare Services for the vulnerable population in Lebanon', the project, which is being led by the Ministry of Public Health, and implemented by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), International Relief and Development (IRD) and International Alert (Alert) will aim to reduce rising tensions between Syrian refugees and hosting Lebanese communities.              

This tension, which comes as a result of the population increase, will be addressed by strengthening public healthcare services and the provision of vaccines and medication throughout Lebanon, the state-run National News Agency reported.           

Through this project, over 180 primary healthcare centers across Lebanon will benefit from medical equipment and improved availability of chronic and essential medications and vaccines. Healthcare providers will be trained on key topics including early warning and reporting of communicable diseases, maternal and childcare, chronic disease management and mental health. Eight laboratories in governmental hospitals will be supported with medical equipment and staff to help control disease outbreaks. Furthermore, organizations working in the healthcare sector will be trained to better monitor the tensions and dynamics on the ground and adapt their programs to support social cohesion.