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The statement clarified that the Lebanese government did not address these issues as required, and “as of the agreed deadline of September 4, 2020, the World Bank has not received satisfactory evidence that the three required items have been met.” Therefore, the Foundation decided to cancel the project.
After years of movements against the project, the popular movement that Lebanon has witnessed for several months since November 17 has revitalized the opposition campaign to build the Bisri dam. Various movements were organized, from sit-ins and demonstrations to the assault on the project site.
The World Bank is reassured by the continuation of the opponents, confirming the existence of other reforestation projects near the area, and also assures that the necessary measures will be taken to avoid seismic risks.
The decision to cancel the project comes at a time when Lebanon is experiencing successive crises, from an accelerated economic collapse and a difficult life situation to the devastating explosion of the port of Beirut, which caused economic losses ranging between 6.7 and 8.1 billion euros. dollars, according to World Bank estimates.
In light of the current situation, the World Bank affirmed its willingness to work with the Lebanese government to determine how to use the amounts from the Bisri dam project “in the most effective way possible to meet the new needs of the Lebanese people.”
