On November 1, 2010, the Litani River Authority (LRA), in collaboration with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), held a workshop to highlight to water stakeholders and government officials, LRA’s vision to change into an Integrated River Basin Agency (IRBA). IRBA aims to improve water resources management of the Litani River Basin (LRB), which will benefit approximately 350,000 people in 161 communities using this basin’s water resources.
The workshop solicited the priorities of the Litani River Basin users, and described the current water quality situation in the river. It also highlighted USAID’s $8 million Litani River Basin Management Support program to promote integrated water resources management as a solution to the challenges facing LRB. Implemented by the International Resources Group, the program provides assistance to the Litani River Authority through provision of technical support and implementation of limited small scale infrastructure activities.
Speaking at the event, USAID/Lebanon Mission Director Dr. Jim Barnhart emphasized the importance of the combined efforts to best use the water resources of the Litani river, “The Litani River is one of the vital freshwater resources in Lebanon. It contains the Qaraoun artificial lake that stores up to 220 million cubic meters of water and supplies irrigation water and hydroelectric power to the Bekaa Valley’s communities… Only close, multi-stakeholder collaboration will improve the usage of this significant water resource.”
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