On Thursday 15 June 2023, during a working visit to Lebanon, the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, Miroslav Wlachovský, visited the refugee camps in the Bikah Valley in the Syrian-Lebanese border region, where we are implementing our project aimed at increasing access to water for vulnerable communities.
„In the refugee camps and in the Lebanese villages in the Bikaa Valley, I have seen first-hand the results of our diplomatic cooperation with NGOs, including the non-profit organisation ADRA. Whether it is water tanks and solar panels powering pumps, street lights or latrines, all these projects show that financial aid from Slovak taxpayers is going to solve migration-related problems right where they arise,“ said Minister Wlachovský.
The head of Slovak diplomacy added that development cooperation and humanitarian aid are not only a manifestation of solidarity in the international community, but also an effective tool for responding to crisis situations that have a negative impact on our state, society and citizens.
„I am proud of our significant footprint, which is a clear signal that Slovakia is ready to help its partners in the Middle East region in difficult times and thus try to minimize the risks associated with illegal migration,“ said M. Wlachovský and recalled that during his visit, the Ministry of Diplomacy delivered and handed over material humanitarian aid to Slovakia in the form of 360 boxes of first aid kits.
Lebanon, as host country to some two million Syrian and Palestinian refugees, is one of SlovakAid's main partner countries. Thanks to the numerous activities of Slovak non-profit humanitarian and development organisations, which have become very well established in the region, Slovakia has been able to make a meaningful contribution to improving the living conditions of the people in the refugee camps, as well as those of the vulnerable inhabitants of the local Lebanese communities.
We are pleased that with the support of SlovakAid and representatives of Slovak diplomacy, we can continue to make a meaningful contribution to improving the living conditions of vulnerable communities in Lebanon.
Project SAMRS/2022/HUM/1/6 - Strengthening Critical WASH Infrastructure - Water Supply System and Small Reservoirs for Syrian Refugees and Lebanese in Bekaa and Baalbek-Harmel, is funded by the Official Development Assistance of the Slovak Republic and implemented in cooperation with a partner organization ADRA Lebanon.
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