Lebanon

Introduction Based on studies of its past disasters, Lebanon can be considered as a country vulnerable to earthquakes because of some earthquake-prone grooves going through its territories. Coastal cities such as Tyr, Sidon, Beirut and Tripoli have known a number of deadly earthquakes over past centuries. The current road network may be affected by landslides, which hampers access to a number of Lebanese areas. Based on the above, one can say that, should an earthquake occur, it will have a major negative impact on the country’s development efforts. Such a disaster will cause injuries and casualties, especially in the absence of a sound national risk reduction methodology. 2

 Lebanon is one of 168 countries that adopted Hyogo Framework for Action in 2005, in a ten-year plan to make the world safer from disasters.  In late 2009, the Disaster Risk Management Unit at the Presidency of the Council of Ministers started its work with the support of UNDP.  In March 2010, the unit represented Lebanon in a regional forum held in Egypt on progress achieved within Hyogo Framework for Action, upon UNISDR invitation.  Another workshop was then held in Beirut; and Lebanon initiated the preparation phase of the HFA progress report, through the following mechanism: 3

First Phase  Define the stakeholders Disaster reduction is everyone’s responsibility, hence the need to define all the parties, ministries, institutions and associations, which have a direct contribution to the framework: Presidency of the Council of Ministers Higher Relief Authority Ministry of Defense: Army command Ministry of Interior and Municipalities: ISF, Directorate General of Civil Defense, Beirut fire department Ministry of Public Health 4

Ministry of Social Affairs Ministry of Justice (Legislation and Opinions Bureau) Ministry of Energy and Water Ministry of Public Works and Transport: Directorate of Civil Aviation, Directorate of Roads and Buildings, Directorate of Land and Air Transport Ministry of Education and Higher Education Ministry of Information: National News Agency Ministry of Finance Ministry of Economy and Trade Ministry of Environment Council for Development and Reconstruction 5

Council for Scientific Research Lebanese Red Cross National Women Commission Association for Forest Development Swiss Agency for Development UNDP Between March and July 2010, the Presidency of the Council of Ministers sent letters to different administrations and ministries to appoint liaison officers to participate in workshops and draft the national report. 6

 Establish working groups with specific priorities In July 2010, a workshop was held under the auspices of the Prime Minister at the Grand Serail and in the presence of a UNISDR representative; participants were introduced to Hyogo Framework for Action and to how the progress report should be drafted. They were divided into working groups in line with the priorities defined by Hyogo Framework for Action, as follows: Working Group 1: Institutional Framework. It includes representatives from: National Women Commission, ministry of finance, directorate of civil aviation, ministry of public works and transport, ministry of national defense, Lebanese Red Cross, ministry of economy and trade, ministry of justice, UNDP. 7

Working group 2: Early Warning and Risk Assessment. It includes representatives from: ministry of environment, ministry of energy and water, council for scientific research, Association for Forest Development, UNDP, Ministry of Defense, Presidency of the Council of Ministers. Working group 3: Awareness raising. It includes representatives from: ministry of social affairs, ministry of interior and municipalities, ministry of national defense, Lebanese Red Cross, ministry of education and higher education, ministry of information, National Women Commission. Working group 4: Sectors. It includes representatives from: ministry of public health, CDR, Council for scientific research, ministry of energy and water, ministry of education and higher education, Swiss Agency for Development, ministry of public works and transport. Working group 5: Response and Reconstruction. It includes representatives from: Higher Relief Authority, ministry of interior and municipalities, Beirut Fire Department, ministry of social affairs, ministry of national defense. 8

 Hold meetings and workshops for stakeholders Four meetings were held at the Grand Serail for each working group, in view of exchanging opinions and answering the questionnaire. 9

 Gather all comments from the working groups After all the 5 working groups finished their work, a workshop was held to prepare the progress report. The report was done in September

 Incorporate all information in the HFA follow up mechanism: In September 2010, all checked information have been incorporated online in the HFA follow up mechanism within the Global Assessment Report. 11

 Final Report Two workshops were held in December 2010 and April 2011 to update the progress report and finalize the final report published online in April 2011: 12

The Second Phase  Continuing report update: In February 2012, the various teams were called upon to review and update the report and follow up on progress made in implementing HFA. 13

 In April 2012, Lebanon participated in HFA special session for Arab countries, upon an invitation by UNISDR, in Egypt.  In June 2012, the first post-HFA meeting was held and attended by UNISDR representative and liaison officers  In September 2012, the progress report was drafted for the period  In March 2013, the final report was issued by the liaison officers, to be later approved by the government prior to April 30,

After 2015 After 2015 HFA should not be a framework Reporting should not be an option DRR should be on the agenda of the UN Council in New York in September, where each head of delegation should mention in his speech what is the progress of their country on DRR Allocate more funds to DRR and support undeveloped countries, as in 2013 all funds are allocated for Syrian displaced only and no more for developments and DRR 15

THANK YOU… 16