US aid to Lebanon targeted to build government capacity
Lebanon-USA, Economics, 11/18/2006

In helping Lebanon recover from the recent conflict between Israel and Hizbullah, the United States is placing priority on building the long-term capabilities of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora's government and its capacity to direct overall reconstruction efforts, says Ambassador Randal Tobias, US director of foreign assistance.

Speaking November 16 at the State Department, Tobias, who is also administrator of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), said the US approach is similar to the principles of the 1947 Marshall Plan, which helped Europe recover from World War II.

The Marshall Plan assistance "was not about the United States developing a plan to rebuild Europe," he said. "It was about the European nations themselves developing a plan" and the United States then helping governments implement their plans.

Similarly, while the United States wants its aid efforts in Lebanon to be visible to the Lebanese, it also needs to be viewed "as an effort to help the legitimate government of Lebanon -- the Siniora government -- help address the needs of the people," he said.

Funding for the US programs is "driven by the strategy that that government has put in place for the rebuilding of Lebanon," Tobias said, and the United States wants to help elected officials at the national and local levels.

As an example, Tobias mentioned the town of Zahle, where USAID has helped to train local officials and provided the capability to automate property tax records.

"The mechanization of the tax records has over the last year doubled the revenue that's coming into the city government," he said. The increased revenue then provides additional funding for needed services.

Likewise, the Zahle town hall has developed the capacity to become a "one-stop shop" for its citizens. Tobias said a recent community survey indicated an increased approval from 9 percent to 40 percent.

Tobias acknowledged that Hizbullah's early cash-distribution program in the days following the end of its conflict with Israel "clearly... had some impact" in solving some humanitarian problems. However, the United States and the Lebanese government are engaged in "very critical" projects "that will really help change people's lives over the long term." Those efforts, as well as the long-term commitment of assistance are "very much appreciated, I think, by the Lebanese people," he added.

The United States has spent $100 million of its $250 million commitment in Lebanon, and the ambassador said he is pleased with "the fact that we have moved our commitments from speeches to reality on the ground very quickly."

Among the immediate and long-term projects being funded:

-- the removal of 50,000 pieces of unexploded ordnance three months after the end of the conflict;

-- clean-up efforts for the massive oil spill that occurred in July, including power-spraying boat hulls and replacing equipment to help local fishermen resume their livelihood;

-- continued reconstruction of the Mdairej Bridge, a major commercial artery;

-- repair and upgrade of schools, including improving computer and library facilities;

-- distribution of 17 medical kits in the country, with each kit meeting the first-aid equipment and minor surgery needs of 10,000 people for 90 days.

Tobias also mentioned a USAID-funded microfinance cooperative project -- begun even before the 2006 conflict -- that is helping 800 farmers and is changing lives.

Thanks to small loans, the farmers have been able to add to their livestock and obtain more modern machinery, which has increased production enabling them to sell well beyond local markets

Asked about the upcoming Paris donor's conference scheduled for late January 2007, Tobias said the United States has "not yet made any determination" about possibly increasing its existing aid commitment. He said the United States also will be working to ensure that others in the global donor community are stepping up and delivering on their commitments.

While donor activity is "clearly visible," Tobias also said donors must move quickly to put words into action due to the "significant need for help."

Previous Stories:
  Junblatt in Washington   (10/31/2006)
  United States helping Lebanon with security: Welch   (10/19/2006)
  US support for Israel cost thousands of lives: Lebanese minister   (9/5/2006)

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