Policy Brief
Research TeamGeorges Gharios and Nadim Farajalla
Climate Change and Environment Program, Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs, American University of Beirut
Climate Change and Environment Program, May 2020
Summary
This policy brief is based on the research paper “Connecting Various Investment Plans to Address New Challenges in the Current Water Management Structure of Lebanon" prepared by the Climate Change and Environment Program at the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs (IFI) at the American University of Beirut (AUB) and commissioned by Oxfam (as part of the H2All Consortium) for the second edition of the Lebanon Water Forum (2019), with assistance of the European Union Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syria Crisis - The Madad Fund, and with the partnership of the Ministry of Energy and Water. The paper is an analysis of the various investment plans in the water sector and their effectiveness in meeting priorities of Regional Water Establishments (RWEs) and water uses needs. This paper will review the various investment plans that were implemented since 1990 and assess by region and by sub sector.
“Investment in Lebanon's water supply infrastructure has averaged around $100 million annually since 1990."
“Gaps in the public sector have allowed the rapid growth of private water providers: 75% of water expenditures by citizens, or $300 million, goes towards feeding the private sector."