Government of the Republic of Korea Partners with UN Women to Empower Women Displaced and Returnees in South Lebanon Governorate

Beirut, 19 December 2024 – The Government of the Republic of Korea, through its Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (MOGEF), has partnered with UN Women to address the urgent needs of women displaced and returning to South Lebanon following the year-long hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. This 1-year initiative aims to provide comprehensive livelihood and protection services to support women and their families in rebuilding their lives.

The conflict that erupted in October 2023 caused severe devastation in South Lebanon, displacing countless families. Thousands of homes were damaged or destroyed, forcing people to seek refuge in shelters or with host families. With the recent ceasefire in November 2024, families are beginning the strenuous process of returning to their homes amidst economic hardship, psychological trauma, and disrupted communities.

In addition to the destruction of homes and infrastructure, agricultural livelihoods in South Lebanon have been devastated. Israeli bombings led to widespread destruction of arable land and irrigation systems, resulting in abandoned farmland, loss of livestock, and soil contamination. The damages have further compounded the economic hardships faced by returnees, particularly farmers.

With a total budget of USD 600,000, this initiative will focus on the district of Tyre (Sour), an area with one of the highest concentrations of both Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and returnees, with local partners such as the Disaster Risk Reduction Unit and the Union of Tyre Municipalities. The project will offer:

• Cash-for-Work Opportunities: Providing temporary employment to 150 women returnees and displaced in the field of agriculture and food security through cash transfers.

• Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV): Providing MHPSS and GBV services to 200 women to promote their psychosocial wellbeing to address the psychological stress due to the conflict and prevent gender-based violence through promoting positive social norms.
• Peacebuilding and Leadership Training: Empowering women as mediators and community leaders to foster social cohesion and prevent conflict, especially within intergenerational family settings.

• Research and Training on the War’s Impact on Agricultural Land: Surveying the war’s impact on agricultural lands, including crops and trees, and training farmers on how to restore the war-damaged environment and enhance sustainable agriculture.

This MOGEF-supported project will directly benefit over 300 women and indirectly impact more than 1,000 community members, addressing immediate needs while laying the foundation for sustainable peace and development in South Lebanon.

Kim Kinam, Assistant Minister for Planning and Coordination, Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, the Republic of Korea, stated: “In conflict situations, women are particularly vulnerable. However, women are not merely victims; they are key actors who can demonstrate leadership in the rebuilding and recovery process. We expect that this initiative will provide women with essential support and help them play leading roles in building peace and sustainability in their communities. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family of the Republic of Korea will spare no effort to ensure that women in South Lebanon build a better future together with their communities.”

Gielan El Messiri, UN Women Representative in Lebanon, expressed gratitude for the partnership: “UN Women welcomes this timely partnership with the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Republic of Korea, to support gender responsive recovery and resilience in Tyre (Sour) following the recent Israel-Lebanon ceasefire. By strengthening women’s resilience through providing temporary employment opportunities and cash transfers, tailored training as well as enhancing their leadership roles within their communities, this partnership contributes to sustainable peace and gender equality.”

The Republic of Korea’s commitment to supporting implementation of the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda in Lebanon is demonstrated through this partnership, as well as through the active participation of Korean peacekeepers (ROKBATT) deployed with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in Sector West.

This partnership builds on UN Women’s extensive experience in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment and women, peace and security in Lebanon. In 2024, UN Women supported numerous women-led initiatives, enhancing their contributions to recovery and peacebuilding efforts across the country, including in Tyre. One of the notable examples is the "Seeds of Sour" project, implemented in collaboration with the Disaster Risk Reduction Unit at the Union of Tyre Municipalities and Dr. Inaya Ezeddine, Member of Lebanese Parliament (Tyre), Chair of the Women and Children Parliamentary Committee, and National Convener for Food System Transformation, supports displaced women from villages along the Blue Line by training them in sustainable agro-ecological practices and food processing to enhance their livelihoods and resilience. Through hands-on learning, cash-for-work opportunities, and psychosocial support, the initiative empowers women to gain skills, access nutritious food, form social connections, and prepare for their return to their communities.