press releases 2007

U.S. Supports Reforestation of Fire-ravaged Chouf, Akkar Areas

November 1, 2007

On November 1, during a visit to the Chouf, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Jeffrey Feltman announced that the U.S. Government is providing $100,000 to hire local labor and help clean and reforest two fire-ravaged areas, one in Akkar and one in the Chouf.
 
Lebanese and Americans share the benefits of democracy and diversity.  At times, however, our two peoples also share sadder experiences.  Today, Americans and Lebanese are mourning the loss of beloved forests and landscapes in California, the Chouf, Jezzine, and Akkar.  Responding to appeals for help and in recognition of the Lebanese Government's "Heart Burn" fire awareness campaign unveiled last week by Prime Minister Siniora, the United States is committed to supporting reforestation of two fire-ravaged areas.
 
The United States Agency for International Development/Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) is providing $100,000 in emergency funds to the Catholic Near East Welfare Association/Pontifical Mission to replace the destroyed wild pine trees with fruit-bearing pine and carob trees.  The funding is divided between the Chouf and Akkar province.  U.S. Government funding will cover the costs of hiring local labor to clean the burned areas, plant new trees, and irrigate them for two years to make sure that they are fully established.  The goal is both to restore the beauty of these areas and to rebuild the economic opportunities that the forests provide to local residents and farmers.  In the United States, the motto of the U.S. National Forests is "a land of many uses."  Lebanon, too, benefits in many ways from its forests.  
 
On November 1, U. S. Ambassador Jeffrey Feltman visited fire-damaged areas in the Chouf to express U.S. support for the reforestation efforts.  The Ambassador noted that the request for U.S. help with reforestation, using local labor, was first raised by Deir El Qamar Mayor Dory Chamoun.  Mayor Chamoun explained the impact of the forest fires on the economy of the area.
 
This activity is another example of a gift from the American people to the Lebanese people.  Since September 2006, the United States has committed over $1 billion to Lebanon.  The United States works in partnership with the Government of Lebanon and many Lebanese civil society organizations to assist in building a strong, prosperous, united, democratic, and independent Lebanon.