USAID Lebanon: From the American People
 

PRESS RELEASE

USAID PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 400 STUDENTS AT LEBANESE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY; INAUGURATES AN AGRICULTURAL PACKAGING PLANT IN ROUMIEH

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Beirut, Lebanon

On December 17, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Lebanon Mission Director Denise A. Herbol presented a check for $47,932 to Dr. Joseph Jabbra at the Lebanese American University campus in Jbeil.   This check was the final installment of the $3.7 million USAID grant to the Lebanese American University for scholarships during the 2007-2008 academic year and will assist more than 400 students to pursue their studies.  

Ms. Herbol also inaugurated an agricultural packaging center in Roumieh.  The $750,000 USAID grant is part of the Sustainable Agri-Business Initiative in Lebanon program implemented by World Vision.  The center is a packaging unit for organic fruits and vegetables brought from Akkar, Beqaa, South Lebanon, Marjayoun, Bint Jbeil and Mount Lebanon.  It features a reception and cleaning area for the produce, storage and cold storage rooms, administrative offices as well as a meeting room for the board of Bio-Coop Lubnan, the newly created local organization managing the center.   With a staff of twenty, the center benefits more than 150 farmers.

USAID has worked in Lebanon since 1951 and implemented development projects to benefit Lebanese citizens. With funds from the American people, USAID creates jobs, invests in youth and protects the environment.  USAID’s work reflects the strong friendship between the Lebanese and American people.