NEWS IN BRIEF

New activities in Kfardebian

Under the patronage of Minister Michel Pharaon, new winter and outdoor activities were launched in Kfardebian on Saturday 7 February 2015, unveiling new cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails, designed and created through a collaboration between the USAIDfunded LIVCD project, Auberge Beity and Kfardebian Municipality. beity.org

Mechanical Olive Oil Harvesting

The Lebanon Industry Value Chain Development (LIVCD) project, funded by USAID, organized a closing workshop of the Mechanical Harvesting Program within the Olive Oil Value Chain, which has improved olive oil productivity and decreased production costs for 1,000 olive oil producers across Lebanon, along with creating 73 jobs in rural areas.

Lebanonvalue chain

Beaufort Castle

The 10th Century crusader fortress, Beaufort Castle, in Nabatieh has completed its restoration process and will soon be open to visitors. The result of a five-year restoration project, that worked to maintain its authenticity, the castle looks set to become one of the most important touristic sites in South Lebanon.

Conserving migrating birds

The world’s largest wildlife event, Birdfair UK has announced its 2015 fundraising project “Hope for migratory birds in the Eastern Mediterranean: action against illegal killing.” This year, the focus of their project will be on reducing the scale and impact of illegal killing of migratory birds, for which Lebanon and Egypt were highlighted as the worst in the region. Birdfair co-organizer, Tim Appleton said, “I am delighted that through Birdfair we can highlight the major issues for migrating birds in this region of the Eastern Mediterranean. birdfair.org.uk