A high-level delegation from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, led by the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Lebanon, H.E. Park IL, and the Commander of the Republic of Korea Battalion (ROKBATT), Col. Yoo Joon Geun, accompanied by the UN Women Representative in Lebanon, Ms. Gielan Elmessiri, visited the Tyre (Sour) district in South Governorate of Lebanon yesterday. The visit underscored the importance of scaling up gender-responsive economic recovery efforts aimed at supporting displaced and returning women to rebuild their lives following the escalation in hostilities as well as the crucial role of women in conflict prevention and promoting sustainable peace.
The delegation engaged directly with beneficiaries and key partners, including representatives from the Disaster Risk Reduction Unit at the Union of Tyre Municipalities and Dr. Inaya Ezzeddine, Member of Parliament for Tyre, Chair of the Women and Children Parliamentary Committee, and National Convener for Food System Transformation. The delegation observed the outcomes of UN Women-led initiatives to provide a comprehensive approach ensuring the intersection of humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding efforts to support affected women and their families.
Since its launch in October 2024, this one-year initiative funded by the Government of the Republic of Korea (Ministry of Gender Equality and Family) with a budget of USD 600,000 has sought to empower women through a multidimensional approach that encompasses livelihood opportunities through cash-for-work, trauma counseling and mental health support and women-led peacebuilding activities. Furthermore, it equips women with practical skills in agroecological approaches for sustainable agriculture, enhancing their ability to sustain their livelihoods beyond the project's duration through diverse income-generating activities. Women participating in the cash-for-work activities highlighted how the project not only provided them with much needed income but also increased their knowledge of agroecological approaches to farming, which they will be able to apply in their villages upon returning. Additionally, farmers will be trained on rehabilitation strategies appropriate to the various categorization of damages caused by the conflict in collaboration with CNRS.
H.E. Park IL, the Korean Ambassador to Lebanon said, “The Republic of Korea, together with UN Women, has always believed in the profound strength of women as agents of change. This project, "Advancing the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda in South Lebanon," is a vital step towards ensuring that women, especially those affected by the recent conflicts, are equipped to lead their communities in time of crisis and recovery. I am also proud to say that Korea's UNIFIL Battalion, ROKBATT, which has been serving in South Lebanon since 2007, will take part in this initiative. I believe their involvement will help build trust and foster positive relations within the communities they serve.”
This collaboration marks the Republic of Korea's first partnership with UN Women in Lebanon, underscoring its strong commitment to advancing women’s empowerment and supporting post-war economic recovery in the region. The funding through the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family is complemented by diplomatic engagement from the Korean Embassy and peacekeeping contributions through ROKBATT, which has maintained a presence in South Lebanon since 2007 as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The battalion has played a key role in promoting stability and supporting development efforts in the region.
Through this partnership the Government of the Republic of Korea and UN Women reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing implementation of the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda in Lebanon through an integrated approach that addresses multiple dimensions of recovery. The WPS agenda comprises ten resolutions addressing women’s leadership in peacemaking and conflict prevention, prevention of gender-based violence, and the achievement of women’s rights.
Gielan El Messiri, UN Women Representative in Lebanon, underscored the value of this collaboration: “Women must be at the forefront of rebuilding their communities, especially those devastated by the war. Their role is indispensable in offering their perspective and expertise and in fostering collaboration for sustainable, community-driven solutions. Their full, equal, and meaningful participation is fundamental in consolidating peace, following the principles laid out in the Women, Peace and Security agenda.”
The head of the Union of Tyre Municipalities, Eng. Hassan Dabouk, delivered a speech in which he noted the valuable relations between Lebanon and the Republic of Korea, thanking them for their support in funding the new phase of the agricultural project, which yielded positive results during the previous phase that was funded by Austria, in terms of employing female workers from the displaced and the productivity of crops that the displaced benefit from.
MP Dr. Enaya Ezzeddine delivered a speech in which she thanked all the parties supporting the project and said “As the project is implemented in partnership with UN Women, the focus was on supporting displaced women coming from agricultural areas, with the aim of developing their knowledge and building their capacities in environmentally and nature-friendly agricultural practices, promoting organic farming methods, and proper land treatment, in addition to acquiring new skills in preparing seedlings and seeds, in preparation for their return to their villages. The project also provided psychological support to the displaced women, taking advantage of their presence in shelters, which provided them with the opportunity to learn without the hassle of moving from one village to another. As the National Food System Convener for Lebanon, it was necessary to adopt a new approach to address food security for displaced persons during the war, in line with Lebanon Food System Transformation Pathway, introduced by Lebanon in February 2024”.
The project, which directly benefits more than 900 women and impacts over 2,100 community members, is implemented by UN Women in collaboration with national and local partners, including the Union of Tyre Municipalities, National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS) as well as local NGOs such as INITIATE, Agrimovement, and International Alert.
Building on the foundations of the successful "Seeds of Sour" project, this initiative continues to support displaced women from villages along the Blue Line. It builds on the results achieved in previous efforts by providing advanced training in sustainable agroecological practices and food processing, while promoting community resilience and economic opportunities for women. Women gain practical skills, engage in cash-for-work opportunities, and receive psychosocial support to help rebuild their livelihoods and strengthen social ties within their communities
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