DUBAI: Japan reconfirmed its commitment to stand by the people of Lebanon and help them weather the compounded crises they are faced with on March 21, when Japan’s Ambassador to Lebanon Takeshi Okubo visited several projects assisted by the country that ammout to a total of $355,045 or ¥43,173,562 to address Lebanon’s need for humanitarian assistance.

Okubo signed a grant contract with the Head of the Administrative Committee of Al Nadwah Cultural and Social Club Adham Mohamad Shouman on Monday. The agreement is for a grant amounting to $91,500 to Al Nadwah Cultural and Social Club to support its dispensary in Qmatiyeh-Aley. The Al-Nadwah has been providing quality and affordable primary health care services to both the host and refugee communities since 1963.

Japan’s Ambassador to Lebanon Takeshi Okubo and Head of the Administrative Committee of Al Nadwah Cultural and Social Club Adham Mohamad Shouman. (Supplied)

The grant, delivered through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Program, will provide the dispensary with an X-Ray unit and Mammography and Computed Radiography devices, with the aim of enhancing medical diagnostic services in the region.

This project will enable 2,170 patients annually, including 450 Syrians, from Qmatiyeh and its neighboring areas, to benefit from accurate screening which will facilitate medical treatment, and contribute to the early detection and prevention of various diseases.

During the signing ceremony, Okubo reiterated Japan’s willingness to support Lebanon’s health care sector, hoping that the new equipment will prove beneficial for many patients. In response, Al Nadwah Cultural and Social Club expressed its gratitude by thanking Japan its donation and stressed the importance of the project in assisting the early detection of breast and lung cancer.

The second grant that was signed on Monday is one worth $87,300 to Union of Relief and Development (URDA) to equip its dispensaries in Bar Elias and Arsal with essential medical equipment.

The grant contract was signed by Okubo and the President of URDA Mashhour Moumneh.

Japan’s Ambassador to Lebanon Takeshi Okubo and the President of URDA Mashhour Moumneh. (Supplied)

The Bar Elias and Arsal dispensaries provide essential primary health care services to the most underprivileged communities in the Bekaa governorate of Lebanon, which currently hosts a large number of refugees.

The project, funded through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Program is expected to help URDA equip the dispensaries with ultrasound and panoramic x-ray machines in order to enhance the healthcare services provided, and facilitate access to advanced and low-cost health care to around 20,000 patients annually, including 16,000 Syrian refugees.

At the signing ceremony, Ambassador Okubo showed Japan’s commitment in assisting the most vulnerable populations in Lebanon. Meanwhile URDA thanked the Japanese government for its generous support and highlighted that the equipment provided will be the first of its kind in the region.

The third agreement signed on Monday was a grant worth $91,085 to Embrace, a non-profit organization (NGO) that offers free of charge mental health support services and psychological consultations in Lebanon.

The grant contract was signed by Okubo and the President of Embrace Mia Atoui.

Japan’s Ambassador to Lebanon Takeshi Okubo and the President of Embrace Mia Atoui. (Supplied)

Lebanon has been assailed by multiples crises—specifically, an economic and financial crisis, followed by COVID-19 and, lastly, the explosion at the Port of Beirut on August 4, 2020. This has lead to a significant increase in the number of individuals in need of mental health support.

The project, delivered through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Program will greatly enhance the access to psychological support services for hundreds of patients annually, which includes including refugees in Tripoli, Akkar, Zahle, Baalbeck, Sidon, Tyre, Nabatieh, Keserwan, and Chouf.

At the signing ceremony Ambassador Okubo said Japan is very keen on extending a helping hand for “Embrace.” He described the organization’s mission as sacred given the assistance it provides to the most marginalized groups. In response, the organization expressed its gratitude for the Japanese grant, and affirmed the importance of the project in responding to the needs of mental health support of individuals residing in remote areas that lack access to such services.

The fourth agreement signed on March 21 is a grant worth $85,160 to the Lebanese Organization for Studies and Training (LOST),  an organization operating the sector of community development including environmental protection in Baalbek-Hermel.

The grant contract was signed by Okubo and the General Manager of LOST Ramy Lakkis.

Japan’s Ambassador to Lebanon Takeshi Okubo and the General Manager of LOST, Dr. Ramy Lakkis. (Supplied)

The grant, delivered through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Program will equip four municipalities in Baalbek-Hermel, with vehicles for solid waste collection. 

The project will target around 41,300 residents including 13,300 Syrians and will significantly contribute to the sustainability of the environment and maintenance of public health.

At the signing ceremony, Ambassador OKUBO expressed Japan’s commitment to support environmental action in Lebanon.  While LOST thanked the Japanese government for the initiatives implemented toward the region of Baalbek, which is facing difficult circumstances.