Minister of Finance Yassine Jaber, in the presence of Minister of Energy and Water Joe Saddi, signed a $257.8 million loan agreement with World Bank Regional Director Jean-Christophe Carret for the Greater Beirut Water Supply Project. The financing is aimed at improving water coverage for 1.8 million people, reducing dependence on costly private water tankers and enhancing the sustainability of the water sector.
The project will finance the completion of water supply infrastructure, the improvement of water quality, the reduction of dependence on costly private sources and the implementation of reforms to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the water sector. It will also support the water sector reform agenda in line with the Ministry of Energy and Water's National Strategy 2024-2035.
Jean-Christophe Carret stated that this project “reflects the World Bank's continued commitment to supporting Lebanon's long-term development needs, despite the recent conflict and recurring crises.”
Despite rainfall levels that are among the highest in the region, Lebanon faces water shortages due to seasonal rainfall concentration and insufficient surface water storage. Climate change could halve the water available during the dry season by 2040, intensifying floods and droughts.
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