Beirut, Lebanon – Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam held an important meeting on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos with UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher. Discussions focused on ways to address the escalating humanitarian crises in Lebanon.
Coordinating aid and setting priorities
Following the meeting, President Salam stated that the discussions included a comprehensive overview of the complex humanitarian situation in Lebanon. The meeting focused on two main points: the war-affected areas, exploring ways to deliver urgent aid to populations directly impacted by armed conflict and military operations; and establishing a mechanism to support host communities receiving the largest number of Syrian refugees. This aims to alleviate the strain on local infrastructure.
From emergency response to sustainability
Both parties agreed on the need to strengthen direct coordination between UN agencies and the Lebanese government to ensure that aid is directed in accordance with the national priorities set by the state. Regarding the strategic shift, Salam and Fletcher emphasized the importance of a gradual transition away from an emergency response approach (one-time aid). They also stressed the importance of moving towards more sustainable approaches that support the long-term resilience of vital sectors in Lebanon.
