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Lebanon Cleans Up Oil Spill Along Coast

FrontLines - May 2009

Mission Of The Month: Lebanon

Challenge

When a bomb tore through the Jiyeh power plant along the northern Lebanon shore in July 2006 in the midst of fighting between Israeli and Hezbollah forces, 10,000 to 15,000 tons of heavy fuel oil fouled the 100 kilometers of coastline from Jadra in the south to Abdeh in the north.

It was an environmental as well as an economic mess.

The oil spill affected people who depend on tourism and fishing. Business owners and fishermen in the oil-contaminated areas quickly found themselves destitute. Their boats were heavily coated with oil, and they faced a daunting, oily Mediterranean Sea.

With USAID's support, workers clean up oil spill along Lebanon's coast in 2006.

“We had nothing after the spill, and I hated the sea,” said one fisherman. “I did not want to go into the water. Every time I wanted to go in I would wind up all in oil.”

The economic pain extended to local restaurants, beach resorts and other tourist venues. Owners lost their sources of income overnight. The once vibrant area was frozen in economic paralysis.

Innovative Approach

USAID took quick action. In coordination with the Lebanese Ministry of Environment, the Agency spent $5.8 million to clean up 43 locations along the northern seashore once the conflict ended. This stretch of shore is home to hotels, resorts and restaurants; four public fishing ports; and three archeological sites.

The Agency contracted to remove pools of oil and oil-contaminated debris. Approximately 1,300 cubic meters of oil-contaminated waste and more than 2,000 cubic meters of oil-contaminated sand were collected from all locations. The contaminated waste was disposed of in locations identified by the Ministry of Environment.

“The negative economic impact of the oil spill on the Lebanese tourist industry and fishermen was a challenge,” said USAID’s Director in Lebanon, Denise A. Herbol. “Cleaning and restoring the affected areas to an environmentally acceptable level required time. With the final push by USAID and the Ministry of Environment, we were able to successfully complete the project prior to the upcoming tourist season, thus providing small businesses with a chance to recover their livelihoods.”

About 270 local laborers— including fishermen—were hired and trained for cleanup operations. USAID also cleaned and repainted 100 fishing boats, allowing fishermen to resume their work and earn a living.

“They even changed our ropes,” the fisherman said. “For 10 years I had the same ropes and nothing else. They came here, cleaned the marina for us, and provided us with work and then they gave us new ropes.

“At least now I can go into the sea. They cleaned my boat and painted it. I can be sure to have some form of income again: I can feed my family.”

Result

The interventions worked: the sea shore was environmentally acceptable again, and businesses resumed normal operations. The work took about two and a half years to complete.

The cleanup pumped $3 million into the Lebanese economy by hiring local laborers, purchasing equipment from local vendors, renting boats from local fishermen, and using local caterers and lodging.

The long-term environmental impact of the oil spill is less clear. While there was an immediate impact on health, biodiversity, fisheries, and tourism, the long-term implications for the environment and the economy have yet to be seen. The spill has been called the worst ever in the Mediterranean.

All told, USAID provided $230 million to Lebanon for humanitarian, reconstruction and security assistance in the aftermath of the conflict.

This article was written by USAID’s office in Lebanon. ★

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