A port was reopened in Abdeh near the Palestinian refugee camp of Nahr al-Bared in north Lebanon Monday, 25 years after it was built.
It was opened with the cooperation of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Italian Embassy in Lebanon, which funded a project to make improvements to the harbor.
The borders and depth of the port dock were enhanced and a ceremony was held in the presence of national and international figures to mark the completion of construction works.
The maintenance efforts, as well as cleaning efforts, took place as part of a UNDP project to develop the area surrounding the north Lebanon Palestinian refugee camp of Nahr al-Bared.
The port was built in 1985 but had fallen into a state of neglect and disrepair. It is said to have a capacity of over 300 fishing boats of various sizes.
UNDP Resident Representative Marta Ruedas explained that the campaign to clean the port was the first of its kind in Lebanon and expressed her hope that more fishing communities would realize the importance of respecting ecological standards.
“UNDP will continue its work with local fishermen and with the local community … It also seeks to improve the work conditions of fishermen,” she said.
First Counselor at the Italian Embassy in Lebanon Andreas Ferrarese said the newly developed port was aimed at helping local fishermen and protecting the environment.
“Everything the Italian Embassy does in Lebanon is in the aim of tightening and developing bilateral relations with Lebanon,” he said, adding that his government has always been ready to help Nahr al-Bared refugee camp.
Nahr al-Bared suffered significant damages after violent clashes erupted there in 2007 between an al-Qaeda affiliated group Fatah al-Islam and the Lebanese Army.
An overview of the maintenance project which was distributed to the participants said the port had not been cleaned since its construction.
“This limited the port’s capacity because of accumulating sand inside the harbor,” the publication read. “Boats were damaged and fishermen relocated to the Tripoli port.”
It was opened with the cooperation of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Italian Embassy in Lebanon, which funded a project to make improvements to the harbor.
The borders and depth of the port dock were enhanced and a ceremony was held in the presence of national and international figures to mark the completion of construction works.
The maintenance efforts, as well as cleaning efforts, took place as part of a UNDP project to develop the area surrounding the north Lebanon Palestinian refugee camp of Nahr al-Bared.
The port was built in 1985 but had fallen into a state of neglect and disrepair. It is said to have a capacity of over 300 fishing boats of various sizes.
UNDP Resident Representative Marta Ruedas explained that the campaign to clean the port was the first of its kind in Lebanon and expressed her hope that more fishing communities would realize the importance of respecting ecological standards.
“UNDP will continue its work with local fishermen and with the local community … It also seeks to improve the work conditions of fishermen,” she said.
First Counselor at the Italian Embassy in Lebanon Andreas Ferrarese said the newly developed port was aimed at helping local fishermen and protecting the environment.
“Everything the Italian Embassy does in Lebanon is in the aim of tightening and developing bilateral relations with Lebanon,” he said, adding that his government has always been ready to help Nahr al-Bared refugee camp.
Nahr al-Bared suffered significant damages after violent clashes erupted there in 2007 between an al-Qaeda affiliated group Fatah al-Islam and the Lebanese Army.
An overview of the maintenance project which was distributed to the participants said the port had not been cleaned since its construction.
“This limited the port’s capacity because of accumulating sand inside the harbor,” the publication read. “Boats were damaged and fishermen relocated to the Tripoli port.”