Olive Farmers Benefit from Increased Harvesting Opportunities Provided by the American PeopleUSAID: Humanitarian Assistance to Lebanon U.S. Embassy Beirut As part of the U.S. Government’s support to Lebanon, an olive harvesting project was recently launched in Zogharta in North Lebanon. Implemented by the Cooperative Housing Foundation (CHF) and its local partner the Rene Moawad Foundation (RMF), the project aims to provide assistance to olive farmers in harvesting their orchards through increased access to harvesting equipment that was lost during the recent conflict. Furthermore, the project matches underemployed community members with olive farmers to increase the availability of labor while decreasing labor costs. As a result, the project will directly benefit 800 local farmers in harvesting their produce and maintaining their livelihood. In addition, 300 individuals will benefit from cash-for-work opportunities during a period of 27 days. This initiative falls within the U.S. Government-funded Humanitarian Assistance for Lebanon, HAL program. Funded at a level of $1.16 million, this six-month program aims to improve the ability of conflict-affected persons to rapidly restore their communities and resume gainful economic activity in a sustainable manner. The total number of beneficiaries targeted under the HAL program is 5,387 persons in the sectors of olive harvesting, fisheries and psychological support to affected community members. The project covers the geographical areas of Chouf, Batroun, Koura, Zogharta, Bebnine, Al Abdeh, Yarine and Beirut’s Southern suburbs.
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