A UNIFIL-supported Red Cross building in the south-eastern Lebanese village of Shab’a opened last week. The new facility will cater to the humanitarian and medical needs of the local population.

At a COVID-compliant ceremony on 5 June, UNIFIL Sector East Commander Brigadier General Javier Mur, India’s Ambassador to Lebanon Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan and the head of the Arqoub Union of Municipalities and the Mayor of the village, Mohammad Saab, jointly inaugurated the Red Cross facility. 

With the work starting in October 2020, the new building was constructed and furnished with the necessary funding from UNIFIL’s Quick Impact Project (QIP) and the Mission’s Indian Battalion. 

UNIFIL QIPs are small-scale, rapidly implementable projects which are intended to address some of the most pressing needs of the host population and support local authorities while strengthening links between UNIFIL and local communities.

In his remarks, Mr. Saab expressed his appreciation for UNIFIL and the Government of India for their “unflinching support” to the village. 

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(Photos: Sgt. Sibi Idikula and Pvt. Alejandro Sole Bielsa / UN)