Lebanon-Support Coordination Portal Recovery and Reconstruction Phase

The Lebanon-Support portal was launched during the Israeli attack on Lebanon, and its services were launched fully by the time of the cease-fire and the beginning of the recovery phase.

The portal was conceptualized after several discussions between the partners on the best manner to support coordination efforts where all actors (local CBOs/NGOs, INGOs, international agencies, and others) can interact and share information. This was in addition to attempting to solve a problem faced by the coordination mechanisms already in existence, such as OCHA/HIC and the HRC. The latter platforms were able to provide information on a macro level (large UN operations, government operations) but lacked the ability to link with localized projects.

The portal had been designed to take into consideration the fluid situation regarding relief coordination in Lebanon. The Coordination Platform had taken into consideration the fact that Lebanese civil society is very active and that, from previous experience, recovery and development will be undertaken by a variety of actors of different sizes, shapes, and access to resources. The design of the portal reflected this fact and created a space where different kinds of actors can interact and share information.

Difficulties related to collection of data were solved with the creation of a "call center" that contacts all known actors on a regular basis and updates information accordingly. This avoids the problems of connectivity of local NGOs and CBOs, as well as not burdening organizations too much with paperwork. The platform also collects other types of data and news to make available to actors on the ground.

Lebanon-Support thus complements the work being done by more centralized agencies, such as HRC (or currently the Recovery Unit of Office of the Prime Minister) or UN mechanisms, by providing direct contact, through the call center and the partner organizations with CBOs and local bodies. Another added value for the project was the ability to create links between the various actors, especially between INGOs and local organizations. Due to its flexibility, the tool is used for various kinds of coordination according to the needs of the concerned actors.

This flexibility allows the portal to readapt its functions into the new situation in South Lebanon, the Suburbs, and the country in general.

Overview of the current coordination needs:

The main issue concerning coordination following 3 months of cease fire is the diversity of the types of projects and programs conducted on the ground and the diversity of the concerned actors. This situation is due to the fact that efforts do not necessarily fall into one category, as aid is taking various forms:

1. Direct relief operations are still under way in many villages
2. Reconstruction efforts are at different stages with different actors, even major actors
3. Demining operations are expected to last for at least another year and a half, due to the spread of UXOs especially cluster bombs
4. The relative underdevelopment of public services in the affected areas adds to the difficulties
5. In many cases, local and international organizations have begun "development" work, while in some regions the main activities are those of direct relief
6. The high number of expected actors in the recovery and development phase will create additional complexities to the coordination mechanisms

This situation will need a flexible coordination platform and the portal attempts to solve the issue by providing diverse services and allowing access for all actors, as well as creating an open space for exchange of information. Thus, the services of the portal are provided as a collections of different "tools" that could be used and adapted according to need.

Alert Mechanisms and Coordination of Relief and Recovery for IDPs in Lebanon

During the first month of Israeli aggression on Lebanon, the majority of relief work focused on IDP centers (schools, churches, mosques, etc.), while more than 70% of the IDPs are in host families or in small groups. It is a situation where larger relief agencies in Lebanon are in unfamiliar territory. This led to the creation of many smaller relief committees all over the country.

Up until today, the majority of relief actions are undertaken by small sized NGOs, community groups, ad hoc neighborhood committees, small municipalities, student groups, and several other initiatives. These groups have created coordination mechanisms and networks to be able to handle the forthcoming aid and avoid duplication in the efforts of INGOs, large local relief agencies, and governmental initiatives (Higher Relief Council, MoSA, etc.).

Coordinating the work of civil society organizations is MoSA, mandated to be the main interlocutors between relief agencies and local groups, whether non-governmental or the MoSA's own local development centers who are functioning in a similar manner and networking directly with local committees.

This portal aims to cover the coordination needs of these committees as well as providing a platform to link their work (through MoSA) with INGOs, the UN system, and other high resource stakeholders. It is an online tool to be used by all actors involved in providing relief for IDPs in the current crisis in Lebanon. The portal will act as a platform that consolidates the various types of data available and will allow the various actors to identify gaps, needs, shortages, and any other critical situation faced in the coverage of assistance in Lebanon.