WATER Ensuring protection to the most vulnerable Syrian and Lebanese households affected by Syrian crisis The project aims at providing protection to the most vulnerable parts of the Syrian refugees who, because of the current conflict, are displaced in the Bekaa Valley, by assuring them adequate living conditions. COUNTRY BENEFICIARIES METHOD Lebanon 15.525 Assistance LOCAL PARTNERS Municipalities of Qasr, Hermel, Al Qaa, Masharii El Qaa, Ras Baalbek, Fakehe, Jdeide, Zeitun, Zabboud, Bejeje, El Ain, Nabi Osmane and Laboue FUNDING AGENCIES ECHO - European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Office STARTING DATE May 2015 IMPLEMENTATION PERIOD 24 months DESCRIPTION The project aims at providing protection to the most vulnerable parts of the Syrian refugees who, because of the current conflict, are displaced in the Bekaa Valley, by assuring them adequate living conditions. The initiative aims also at supporting the hosting communities improving and enhancing public services both for the resident and hosted communities.According to the research lead by GVC, 14% of the beneficiaries have been identified as persons with a high degree of vulnerability/specific needs. These vulnerable groups are considered the most exposed to the consequences of inadequate living conditions and of inadequate water and sanitation access. OBJECTIVES Enhance protection to the most vulnerable displaced population in the North Beqaa Valley by providing a needs-based emergency response aimed at preserving life, preventing and alleviating human suffering and maintaining human dignity. The action aims at preventing deterioration of vulnerabilities by: - improving physical conditions of shelters in Informal Tented Settlements and SSU - ensure access to safe water, proper drainage system and functional WASH facilities for the most vulnerable Syrian and Lebanese households ACTIVITIES • Provision of shelter kits for shelter units in informal settlements for 446 households • Operation and maintenance of water and sanitation emergency facilities: installation of 20 water distribution schemes • Water quality testing campaign • Provision of waste collection system in 120 ITS • Awareness campaigns on safe hygiene practices • Water scarcity monitoring.