Former Social Affairs Minister Nayla Moawad has urged the implementation of a nation-wide rural development strategy during the inauguration ceremony of a potable water supply network in Meriata town in Zgharta.

The project, which featured the installation of a 250,000-liter water tank,  was funded by the Syria Emergency Response Fund and developed under the supervision of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in collaboration with Meriata municipality .

The inauguration ceremony was attended by UNDP Resident Representative in Lebanon Ross Mountain, Collete Saqr, representative of Zgharta kaimakam Iman Al Rafi’i and a number of  local officials and political party representatives .

Moutain praised civil society groups for playing a prominent role in the supporting rural development projects, highlighting that the Meriata water supply network will benefit the town’s residents who now host an equal number of Syrian refugees.

Head of the Meriata municipality Mohammad Ajaj said the project will help plug the deficit in water supply as a result of the two-fold increase in demand due to the influx of Syrian refugees .

Ajaj praised Moawad for her efforts, stressing that the municipality has launched in cooperation with Rene Moawad Foundation an awareness campaign to reduce water consumption.

Former Minister Moawad said the foundation will continue to support nation-wide development projects in line with the vision of its founder late President Rene Moawad.

“The Rene Moawad Foundation believes that environmental sustainability and rural development can only be achieved through collaborative efforts between all factions of society,” she said, highlighting the important role that women play in this regard.