Going green to survive
In the remote town of Chebaa, south Lebanon, three hundred households have been struggling for months with their municipal water supply. The town’s main water source comes from a well, brought to the surface by an electric pump, powered by a generator, which needs diesel fuel to operate. With…
There is bread and salt between us
Sharing bread and salt is an ancient custom, prevalent in the Middle East as well as parts of Europe. The act of eating together signifies a welcoming between two sides, expressing gratitude, friendship, and trust. On 20 August 2022, UNIFIL Peacekeepers and the community of Tibnin town shared “bread…
UNIFIL’s mandate renewed for another year
At the request of the Government of Lebanon, the Security Council extended UNIFIL’s mandate for another year today, with the adoption of Resolution 2650 (2022). The new resolution reaffirms UNIFIL’s mandate under Resolution 1701 (2006) and subsequent resolutions. Last year, in Resolution 2591 (2021)…
A “routine” activity that goes a long way
UNIFIL and its troop contributing countries have been supporting their Lebanese host communities with a plethora of assistance projects for the past 15 years. The list is endless and includes infrastructure projects such as road improvements and water channels, renovation and rehabilitations of…
Fighting fires together
Summer is peak fire season in south Lebanon. Just a few months ago, on 8 July 2022, a large fire erupted in a carpet factory in the southern town of Zefta. It was a devastating fire, resulting in the destruction of most goods and machinery in the factory. The Lebanese Armed Forces and Civil Defense…
“Empowering” the Lebanese Armed Forces
Yes, it is a play on words, but, quite literally, the Lebanese Armed Forces’ (LAF) South Litani Sector HQ has been given “power” by UNIFIL’s Republic of Korea Battalion (ROKBATT) in the form of a solar power generating system. The electricity supply situation in Lebanon is intermittent and…
A Wall - to Irrigate not Separate
In February 2022 the mayor of Houla, a town in the eastern sector of UNIFIL’s area of operations, asked UNIFIL for support. UNIFIL’s Spanish Battalion, which leads the eastern sector, answered the mayor’s call. 8 months later, a stone wall, rising nearly 5 meters and spanning 20 meters, stands proud…
Statement attributable to the UNIFIL Spokesperson’s office
In recent days, a great deal of misinformation and disinformation about UNIFIL’s mandate has been circulating in the media. Our peacekeepers remain committed to security and stability in south Lebanon, and to continue to support the people who live here. UNIFIL has always had the mandate to…
Our Close Cooperation Continues
Following UNIFIL’s mandate renewal on 31 August 2022, our peacekeepers remain committed to security and stability in south Lebanon and continue to work closely with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), as we have done since the passing of SCR 1701 (2006). Out in the eastern part of UNIFIL’s area of…
A First in UN Peacekeeping
UNIFIL today celebrated the inauguration of gender-sensitive accommodations for the Ghanaian Battalion’s women peacekeepers at the Ghanaian headquarters in south Lebanon. The cost of the project was covered by the Elsie Initiative Fund, which aims to increase the sustainable deployment and…
The People Speak About Peace
Each year, on 21 September, the world marks the International Day of Peace, a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire. On this occasion UNIFIL’s Radio programme “Salam from the South” asked people around south Lebanon what they think…
Peace cannot be achieved alone – Marking Int. Day of Peace
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) held on 21 September 2022 a ceremony to commemorate the International Day of Peace at its headquarters in Naqoura, South Lebanon. Peacekeepers representing the current 48 troop-contributing countries in UNIFIL were joined at the event by…