Arab News Japan

The government of Japan will extend a grant through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Program (GGP) to support the Organization for Social and Agricultural Development (OSAD) in installing a solar panel system in the water pumping facility in Mchaityhe/Baalbek-Hermel, reconfirming the country’s commitment to stand by the people of Lebanon.

Japan’s Ambassador to Lebanon OKUBO Takeshi signed a grant contract with the President of OSAD Dr. Hanna EL Khoury on Wednesday.

Mchaityhe is one of the villages that have been affected by the exacerbating situation in Lebanon, where fuel shortages have worsened existing power cuts, affecting the operation of water pumping facilities and resulting in a water crisis. This has forced many farmers to quit agriculture, a sector that supports most of the population and employs low-income and vulnerable groups.

During the signing ceremony, Ambassador Okubo stressed the agricultural potential in the region, in hope that the implantation of renewable energy would contribute to the development of the sector, which is currently dependent on the availability of both water and energy.

OSAD thanked Japan for its support and reiterated the importance of the project through highlighting its urgency.