Landscape restoration through co-efforts from Syrian refugees and host communities in Lebanon

31/07/2021

Project: Enhancing the resilience of vulnerable refugee communities through cash for work

Location: Anjar Municipality, Beqaa Governorate, Lebanon

Period: 18 November 2019 – 31 July 2021

Introduction

The Near East and North Africa (NENA) region is confronted with serious challenges that threaten the resilience of its population. These include conflicts, slow and rapid onset disasters, and degradation of already scarce natural resources, which are exacerbated with the advent of climate change. In addition to systemic and social vulnerability, natural hazards and human-made disasters are among the main reasons for the continuing rise of food insecurity in the region.  

As of October 2021, approximately 1.5 million Syrians who have fled the conflict in Syria are hosted by Lebanon and live across all governorates nationwide. Meanwhile, the Government of Lebanon estimates that 1.5 million Lebanese who are economically vulnerable should be considered as directly impacted by the Syria crisis. Attributing to the unprecedented and multifaceted social-economic crisis in Lebanon, these vulnerable groups are facing increasing challenges accessing basic needs. Anjar, the project target municipality, remains among one of most impacted areas in Lebanon demonstrating high levels of need, vulnerability, protection concerns and social tension. The practice in Anjar showcases how Syrian refugees and host communities came together to embark on land restoration and environmental management, subsequently contributing to sustainable development.

Key Facts

Location: Anjar Municipality, Lebanon

Implementing partners: Ministry of Agriculture; Anjar Municipality; the Lebanon Reforestation Initiative (LRI) and the Association for Forests, Development and Conservation (AFDC)

Donor: Republic of Korea

Target Group:  318 direct beneficiaries (Including 64 women); apx. 3000 indirect beneficiaries

Challenges

Located in the District of Zahle (Beqaa Governorate), Anjar Municipality is one of the most impacted communities by the Syrian crisis. The small municipality of only 2000 residents is currently hosting approximately 1383 Syrian refugees. As a result of the sudden increase in the population and pressure on natural and local resources, the Anjar uplands were subjected to unsustainable land uses, resulting in a rapid decline in the regeneration of ecologically significant native trees and other vital plant species. Moreover, other climate-induced factors increased the incidence of intense wildfires in the uplands and seasonal floods in the river basin. These factors, combined with hot dust storms, heatwaves, and increasing temperatures place the agricultural crops and forests areas at high risks. Considering the current economic crisis, the Municipality of Anjar, the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture and local civil society actors were overwhelmed and unable to adequately address the growing deforestation crisis and social tensions between refugees and host communities.

Project objective

In response to the challenges, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) implemented the project "enhancing the resilience of vulnerable refugee communities through cash for work” in Anjar, which was funded by the Government of the Republic of Korea. It was carried out from 18 November 2019 to 31 July 2021, in partnership with Anjar Municipality, the Ministry of Agriculture and two national NGOs, the Lebanon Reforestation Initiative (LRI) and the Association for Forests, Development and Conservation (AFDC).  With a focus on land restoration, the overall objective of the project was to enhance the livelihoods and skills of Syrian refugees and vulnerable Lebanese through labour-intensive reforestation and forest management activities.

Methodological approach

Combined with community and expert’s insights, FAO developed a reforestation and forest management plan focusing on increasing the forest cover, establishing green belts, and undertaking fuel management activities to prevent the risk of wildfires. This labour-intensive plan relies on the Syrian refugees and vulnerable Lebanese in planting trees and establishing firebreaks and fuel management activities.

Step by step, it involves training and engaging refugees in reforestation and forest management activities through cash-for-work (CFW) activities; supporting local reforestation and forest management activities; and enabling refugees to gain practical skills in implementing forest management and deforestation activities. As the municipality and local stakeholders were engaged throughout the project cycle, it ensured the community’s stewardship and ownership of the project activities. Also, the capacity-building component enabled the vulnerable to undertake similar activities in the future.

Results and Impacts

192 Syrian refugees and vulnerable Lebanese recruited and trained on reforestation and forest management practices

192 participants (of whom 35 women) were selected for the reforestation and forest management activities from both the refugee community from Kfarzabad and Qab Elias villages (45 percent) and the Lebanese host community in Anjar based on vulnerability criteria and technical capacity. Accordingly, 119 refugee beneficiaries were selected to participate in reforestation activities and were trained on afforestation techniques. Moreover, 73 beneficiaries (of whom 51 percent refugees) were selected to participate in forest management activities and were trained on good practices for forest management and selectively on site management. Importantly, the creation of short-term green jobs helps alleviate social tension and promotes social integration between refugees and the host community.

Notably, the project paid particular attention to gender equality. All beneficiaries were trained on gender equality and women’s empowerment. Moreover, through engaging women in activities, such as forest management and other labor-intensive activities, the project contributed to engaging women in traditionally male dominated sector.

Implementing reforestation and forest management activities on 97 ha land in Anjar

On one hand, a basic management plan for the protected riparian forest was developed stating the main activities and steps required to maintain a site (such as cleaning, pruning and weeding). With support from the Syrian refugees and vulnerable Lebanese, 72 hectares of the protected riparian forest were cleaned/or cleared to ensure the sustainable forest management and prevention from wildfire risks. As appropriate and in accordance with local agricultural practices, the collected residues were recycled for organic fertilizer production. For example, green and agricultural residues were collected to produce vermicompost, which was used in reforestation and afforestation for the first time in Lebanon to enhance soil life and biodiversity and promote plant growth.

On the other hand, a total of 68 145 seedlings, native species to the area, were produced for the purpose of reforestation and green belt establishment. Specifically, a total of 37 545 seedlings were planted across 25 ha of land, together with a green belt built along 11 772 m of agricultural land composed of 5000 fruit trees and by 21500 aromatic plants which are climate-resilient species. The implementation process focused on climate-resilient species and on techniques to assist plant growth, particularly in the seedling/sapling phase; reduce risk of damage from hazardous events; and took meteorological predictions and seasonal variability into account to reduce the risk of erosion to plants/trees. Innovatively, the use of clay jars buried next to the root zone will reduce water needs and frequency of irrigation, as well as increase in the survival rate of the seedlings.

The fruit trees and aromatic plants will be used for local consumption while providing feed and shelter for wildlife and birds. The 5 000 fruit trees will start to produce small quantities of fruit, with an average yield of 5‒7 kg of fruit per tree (the total production is estimated at 25‒35 tons annually). At the age of 10‒15, the trees will produce larger quantities, reaching up to 30 to 50 kg per tree, with a total production of 150‒250 tons. The aromatic plants and shrubs will start to produce after the second and third year of plantation, with an average of 100 to 200 g per plant, with a total production of 2‒4 tons per year. 

Sustainability

Primarily, the project is expected to have high environmental and economic returns as well as contribute to restoring the ecological balance in Anjar. For example, fruit trees and aromatic shrubs were planted as wind breaks and shelterbelts to provide feed and shelter for birds, especially for the endangered Syrian Serine. Farmers and local community are expected to maintain the windbreaks and shelterbelts as they will constitute an additional source of fruits. Moreover, planting aromatic and medicinal plants will allow the local community to obtain free herbs from their own forests.

By providing trainings and by engaging the vulnerable members of the refugee and local communities in reforestation and forest management activities, the project has contributed to building their capacities to sustainably manage the natural resources in their neighborhood. ,. This will also increase the potential for the Municipality to conduct similar activities in the future.  The success of the project has encouraged the Government of Korea, through the Embassy in Lebanon, to fund a second phase of the project in the town of Anjar.