UNIFIL Sector East units from China, India, Nepal and Spain extended a wide range of support to local communities in the health, education and sports sectors recently in various south-eastern villages.

While Chinese and Nepalese peacekeepers supported the villages of Ibl el Saqi and Meiss ej Jebel with COVID-19 prevention kits and medical supplies, Indian and Spanish peacekeepers donated education and sports supplies to public schools and municipalities of Kfar Kela and Kfar Shouba respectively.

In addition, with support of three Spanish soccer teams – Atletico de Madrid, UD Las Palmas and CD Tenerife – the Spanish peacekeepers were able to organize the first “Mediterranean Soccer Cup” in the village of El Adaysseh on 20 February. Among the three competing teams (Spanish peacekeepers, El Adaysseh, Ett Taibe and Shaqra), the El Adaysseh team was the champion.

On the same occasion, Spanish peacekeepers also handed over a number of sports gear and school supplies for the village school.

UNIFIL attaches great importance to its strong bond with local communities in south Lebanon while carrying out its core tasks. Between core operational duties, UNIFIL peacekeepers regularly carry out various community activities - as requested by the host communities - directly benefiting the local population.