USAID/Lebanon Community Support Program Task Order No. 5 Year 3 Work Plan, October 2021 – September 2022

The program's Task Order No. 5 (TO 5) focuses on implementing infrastructure interventions and capacity building to support the Regional Water Establishments (RWEs) in managing and operating wastewater facilities. The country context in Lebanon has been characterized by a deepening economic crisis, a worsening financial situation, and a gradual lifting of subsidies on basic goods. This has led to a significant increase in poverty, with over 50% of the population living below the poverty line. The crisis has also impacted the private sector, with industries facing challenges in importing raw materials and investing in industrial wastewater treatment systems. To address these challenges, TO 5's projects are organized into two main tracks: investment and infrastructure. The investment track focuses on designing innovative programs to attract private sector funding and investment to mitigate pollution associated with untreated industrial wastewater. The infrastructure track, on the other hand, focuses on the construction and/or rehabilitation of wastewater facilities to ensure they access appropriate technology to environmentally manage municipal wastewater output. In FY2021, TO 5 achieved several key milestones, including the revision of its selection of infrastructure interventions to include two halted Ministry of Energy and Water (MoEW) projects in Lower Litani and Bchaale. The program also obtained USAID approval on the 100% design packages for several wastewater facilities, including the Sainiq Wastewater Conveyance System, Aaitanit Wastewater Treatment Plant rehabilitation, and Borj Rahhal Wastewater Pumping Station. The FY2022 TO 5 work plan was developed throughout August 2021 by the TO 5 team and CSP partners. The plan focuses on implementing the infrastructure interventions and capacity building activities outlined in the program's strategy. The program will work closely with RWEs and municipalities to build their capacities to sustainably operate and maintain wastewater facilities. The implementation of TO 5's projects will be challenging due to the ongoing economic and financial crisis in Lebanon. However, the program is committed to supporting the RWEs in finding solutions to sustain their proposed wastewater infrastructure interventions on the technical and logistical front. The program's success will depend on its ability to adapt to the changing context and to work effectively with its partners to achieve its objectives. The program's proposed infrastructure interventions and capacity building activities are expected to have a positive impact on the country's wastewater management challenges. The program will help to improve the sustainability of wastewater facilities, reduce pollution, and enhance the health and environmental outcomes for communities in Lebanon.