Improved water supply for more than 1 million people

• Better living conditions for around 75,000 Syrian refugees
• EUR 38 million for water supply/sanitation programme
• Relief for the Lebanese infrastructure additionally stressed by the influx of refugees

On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), KfW today signed a financing agreement with the Ministry of Energy and Water of Lebanon (MoEW) for a grant of EUR 38 million. It includes the first and second phase of a programme to improve water supply and sanitation in various host communities in Lebanon that have taken in Syrian refugees.

The first step will be to rehabilitate and expand drinking water supply systems in districts in the area surrounding Mount Lebanon, reaching approximately one million people, including 75,000 Syrian refugees. These include three waterworks, water mains, reservoirs, pumping stations and new wells. The improved supply and quality of drinking water will improve the living conditions of the Lebanese population and refugees.

"Strengthening Lebanese communities in their efforts to take in Syrian refugees is an important way to help the country to cope with ongoing refugee influx. It will also relieve pressure on the public infrastructure and ensure the supply of clean drinking water for all — Lebanese and refugees from Syria," said Dr Joachim Nagel, Member of the Executive Board of KfW Group.

The measures will be implemented in areas with a comparatively high number of Syrian refugees in order to defuse potential infrastructure conflicts. The measures will connect Lebanese households to the water supply network and greatly increase the number of hours during which water supply is provided in several hydropower plants.

During the construction phase, income and employment opportunities will arise for the Lebanese population and the Syrian refugees. In future phases of the programme, water supply and sanitation services in other regions of Lebanon are to be improved.

More information on KfW Development Bank is available at:
www.kfw-entwicklungsbank.de/International-financing/KfW-Entwicklungsbank/