UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Stefano Del Col today inaugurated, together with local authorities, a UNIFIL-supported central heating system project in a primary school in Houla, south-eastern Lebanon.

The project, which was completed in September following request from the local municipality, will help 340 young students and 35 teachers cope with the looming harsh winter.

In his remarks during today’s inauguration ceremony, Major General Del Col said, “Better equipped and more efficient public schools in the south are for me a clear indication that the absence of war, and the stability that the area has enjoyed since 2006 can bring real benefits to the local population and create the right conditions for peace.”

In addition to this project, UNIFIL has extended eight other contributions to the Houla public education through equipment, infrastructure and school materials offered by the Spanish, French and Nepalese peacekeepers over the past five years.

“We will continue working with the Lebanese Armed Forces, local authorities and you, the people of south Lebanon to keep accomplishing the core of our mandate – maintaining security and stability in south Lebanon – so that necessary conditions may be in place for a just peace to eventually prevail,” added the UNIFIL head.

Between their core peacekeeping duties, UNIFIL peacekeepers regularly carry out various activities in support of the host communities, which – together with their operational activities – have helped keep calm in the Mission’s area of operation for over 13 years.