The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
Supporting wildfire preparedness and forest resilience in Lebanon
UNOPS is supporting Lebanon’s Ministry of Environment to reduce wildfire risks and improve sustainable forest management across the country.
Exacerbated by climate change, Lebanon faces a significant and escalating risk of forest fires, resulting in an estimated annual loss of 1,500 hectares of its vital forests.
Recognizing this growing threat, the ‘Community-based wildfire risk management in Lebanon's vulnerable landscapes’ project, financed by a Global Environment Facility grant administered by the World Bank, aims to strengthen Lebanon's capacity for timely and effective forest fire risk management and response.
Through this project, UNOPS will support first responders by providing essential equipment, vehicles and communication systems for early warning and rapid intervention, and will help establish local joint operations centres to enhance coordination of fire response efforts.
“This project is very important as it lays the ground for a comprehensive national early warning system for hazards in Lebanon, mainly floods and wildfires,” said the Lebanese Minister of Environment Tamara El Zein.
“A system of this nature will help us save lives, protect livelihoods, and strengthen our national preparedness and response capacities,” she added.
In parallel, technical assistance will be provided to conduct biodiversity assessments, develop forest and wildfire management plans, and support sustainable forest practices. Post-fire restoration activities will focus on reforestation, slope stabilization and the rehabilitation of fire-affected landscapes, reinforcing Lebanon’s commitment to protecting its natural resources and communities.
“UNOPS aims to contribute to reducing the wildfires risks in Lebanon and preserving Lebanon’s forests. […] The planned localized activities will demonstrate best practices to scale up and secure additional resources to ensure sustainable management and wildfire risk reduction,” said Muhammad Usman Akram, Representative and Director of UNOPS Multi-country office in Amman.
Jean-Christophe Carret, World Bank Division Director for the Middle East Department, added: “The implementation of this important project builds on a strong partnership between the implementing agencies, local government authorities and communities.”
