Serious, and in some cases, widespread environmental challenges are confronting the Lebanese authorities as a result of the recent conflict, a report prepared by UNEP’s Post Conflict Branch says.

Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and UNEP Executive Director, said: “This post conflict assessment was carried out at the request of the Lebanese authorities following the cessation of hostilities in mid August last year”.

“The report provides a comprehensive picture of the outstanding environmental problems facing the Lebanon and its people. Some of these, like war-related debris, cluster bombs on farmland, toxic waste—the result of bomb damage and fires at industrial facilities—and the wide-spread damage to water and sewage systems require urgent remedial action. Others are more long-term in nature including the necessity for systematic monitoring of the health of local populations, and the environment, in certain key locations.”

“There is also good news with the marine environment appearing to have largely escaped serious long term damage linked with the oil spill from the Jiyeh power plant." he said.
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