U.S. Ambassador's Fund to Help Preserve al Bass Necropolis in Tyre

Beirut - September 26, 2003 --  U.S. Ambassador Vincent M. Battle and Minister of Culture Ghazi Aridi today signed an agreement for the United States to provide US $30,640 to fund the conservation works for the funerary complex at al Bass Necropolis in Tyre.  This support has been made available through the Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation, a special fund established by the U.S. Congress to preserve cultural heritage around the world.   

The agreement was signed at a ceremony held at the al Bass Necropolis in Tyre.  Mayor of Tyre Abdel Mohsen Al Husseini, Director General of Antiquities Frédéric Husseini, and representatives of cultural NGOs and the Department of Archeology at the Lebanese University, also attended the ceremony. 

The Al-Bass necropolis, along with a monumental arch and one of the largest Roman hippodromes ever found, comprise the Roman ruins located in the inland area of the city of Tyre.  Excavation on the necropolis began in 1959 and extended until the beginning of the civil war.  It then resumed again in 1996.  The Directorate General of Antiquities has identified the necropolis in Tyre as the most important Roman necropolis in Lebanon, and possibly the region.   

The U.S. Congress established the Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation in 2001 to provide small-scale grants to assist countries in preserving their cultural heritage.  Since its establishment, the Ambassador's Fund has provided funding to more than 80 countries around the globe for 154 projects to preserve historic sites and manuscripts, museum collections, and traditional forms of music, dance and language. 

USAID AWARDS $619,000 to 20 Lebanese NGOs Benefitting More than 10,400 Citizens 

Beirut - September 29, 2003 --   U.S. Ambassador Vincent Battle today attended the signing of 20 Small Grant agreements worth $619,000 for a wide range of projects throughout Lebanon.  USAID Lebanon Director Raouf Youssef and 20 non-governmental organizations (NGO's) signed the agreements, which will benefit more than 10,400 Lebanese citizens in Akkar, Tripoli, Bekaa, Mount Lebanon, Beirut Suburbs, Nabatiyeh, Jezzine, Sidon, and Tyre. 

Although the projects are diverse in nature, the overall objectives can be grouped into three categories: humanitarian assistance, expanding economic opportunities, and promoting environmental awareness and sound environmental practices. The projects reflect community needs and are characterized by partnership between local NGOs, community groups, and the private sector. 

The 20 projects are the following: 

1. The Association of Humanitarian Charity in Jib Janine will establish a charity dispensary to serve Jib Janine and surrounding villages in West Bekaa.  

2. The Committee of Humanitarian and Social Services will develop the services of its charity dispensary that serves Halba and surrounding villages in Akkar. 

3. The Christian Association for the Blind in Dekwaneh will establish the first computer training and access center for the visually impaired in Lebanon. 

4. The Lebanese Association for Marine and Wildlife Museum will develop its Museum in Tyre as an attraction site for tourism.  

5. The National Rehabilitation of the Disabled Organization in Abey will develop its facilities for capacity building and vocational training of the disabled. 

6. The Society of Saint Vincent of Paul in Lebanon will improve the productivity of its catering center in Cornet Chehwan, providing more employment opportunities and support for its other benevolent activities. 

7. Jeunesse Anti Drogue will print booklets and spread awareness throughout the Lebanese community against drug abuse and addiction. 

8. The Irfan establishment will expand and develop the services of its community hospital in Simkanieh serving rural citizens in Chouf, Sidon, Nabatiyeh, Hasbaya, West Bekaa, and Jezzine. 

9. The Social Services Association in Tripoli will establish a psychiatric treatment section in its center to serve Tripoli, Akkar, and Jbeil. 

10. The Health Establishment of the Druze Community will develop the Cancer treatment facilities at Ain Wazain Hospital to provide services for patients in Chouf, Aley, Baabda, Hasbaya, and West Bekaa. 

11. The Nabatiyeh Traders Association will equip their center auditorium to attract and promote professional, cultural, social, and sports events in the villages of Nabatiyeh. 

12. The Ladies Association of Lehfed Dispensary will equip the radiology section in their charity hospital that will serve 16 villages in Jbeil. 

13. Green Service Program will improve their administrative and program implementation facilities for spreading environmental awareness and sound environmental practices to Lebanese community groups. 

14. Farah Social Foundation will establish a computer access center in Sawfar to provide low cost computer services and access as well as training for rural citizens in 8 villages. 

15. Beit Chebab Hospital will renew its physiotherapy department and expand the services of their emergency room, operating room, and medical department. 

16. Haigazian University will promote its information access and exchange services for Lebanese students through the automation of its Library. 

17. The Social Cultural Development Society in Ghazieh will improve the facilities and promote the services of its charity school. 

18. The Humanitarian Charity Association will improve the living standards of it orphanage in Tripoli. 

19. Amour et Partage will improve the living standards of the elderly in their center at Nabaa (Beirut). 

20. The Damour Cultural Council will establish a library for the resident and returning citizens to Damour and the surrounding villages.

USAID will continue to support Local NGOs involved in community development in order to help them become more effective, efficient, and productive.

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