The region of Mount Lebanon & Beirut covers a vast and diverse area of the country, from the old harbor of Byblos to the green Shouf Mountains passing through the capital, Beirut. Living conditions vary throughout the area. Nonetheless, income disparities and absence of social services cause the two regions to respectively include some of Lebanon’s disadvantaged districts and populations.
For the preliminary phase, Beirut Southern Suburbs has been selected as the first district in which to initiate LIVE LEBANON projects. The area is marked by deprivation and lack of basic social services. The Southern Suburbs have a high population density due to the large waves of migration from the South and the Bekaa. The unemployment rate of residents of Beirut Southern Suburbs is the highest in Lebanon standing at 20 and 14.1 per cent for females and males respectively. Although extreme poverty in Mount Lebanon is 3.8 per cent, 39.9 per cent of the region is classified poor due to severely deprived conditions of the Southern Suburbs of Beirut.
Moreover, Beirut Southern Suburbs suffered severe destruction during the 2006 conflict. The projects LIVE LEBANON aims to implement are located in the following areas: Al Hadath, Al Mreyjeh, El Chiah, Furn El Shebbak, Hay El Selloum, and Ouzai. The projects focus on reinforcing schools, improving the services provided by local health clinics, and establishing income-generating opportunities. Below you can find more information on the projects, read news, and see pictures from the area.