U.S. Embassy Celebrates Earth Day with the AFDC in Aley

Representatives of the U.S. Embassy, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the U.S. Forest Service joined the Association for Forest Development and Conservation (AFDC) at the Aley Cultural Secondary School on Thursday to celebrate the 41st annual Earth Day with an event that included a theatrical play about forest fire prevention and a training demonstration with a fire truck donated by the U.S. Government.

Earth Day, established in 1970 by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, is observed annually to bring together individuals, private organizations and governments to promote environmental conservation and natural resource management. Preventing forest fires is vital to promoting and preserving Lebanon’s natural environment.

USAID, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, has implemented a number of projects to help preserve and maintain Lebanon’s forests. Most recently, USAID collaborated with the U.S. Forest Service and AFDC to carry out a series of training sessions on topics such as the Incident Command System, forensic fire investigation, community preparation and helicopter firefighting. The U.S. Forest Service, with funding from USAID, also implements the Lebanon Reforestation Initiative, a $12-million nationwide reforestation program.

Other USAID environmental efforts include water and sanitation programs totaling $45.5 million, including the Small Village Wastewater Treatment Systems program to construct wastewater treatment plants; the Lebanon Water and Wastewater Sector Support program to help Lebanon’s four Water Establishments attain financial and operational sustainability; and the Litani River Basin Management Support program to assist the Litani River Authority transform into a River Basin Agency.