Association for Forests, Development and Conservation - AFDC

A key step forward ♻️

Funded by the Embassy of Japan in Lebanon through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP), an agreement was signed on Monday, April 20, 2026, between the Municipality of Ras el Matn, represented by its President Mr. Bassam Makarem, and AFDC, represented by its President Mr. Amin El Halabi.

The agreement aims at the provision of waste collection trucks serving Ras el Matn and neighboring villages.

This step contributes to strengthening municipal capacities, improving waste management services, and ensuring the effective use of equipment, aligning with the Municipality’s vision for a greener environment and a healthier, higher quality of life 🌱

خطوة أساسية إلى الأمام ♻️

بتمويل من السفارة اليابانية في لبنان، من خلال برنامج المساعدات الأهلية لمشاريع الأمن البشري (GGP)، تمّ توقيع اتفاقية بين بلدية رأس المتن، ممثّلة برئيسها الأستاذ بسام مكارم، وجمعية الثروة الحرجية والتنمية (AFDC)، ممثّلة برئيسها الأستاذ أمين الحلبي، يوم الإثنين ٢٠ نيسان ٢٠٢٦،وذلك لتسليم شاحنات مخصّصة لجمع النفايات من بلدة رأس المتن والقرى المجاورة.
وإذ تساهم هذه الخطوة في تعزيز قدرات البلديات، وتحسين خدمات إدارة النفايات، وضمان الاستخدام الفعّال للمعدات، بما ينسجم مع رؤية بلدية رأس المتن نحو بيئة خضراء ومجتمع ينعم بالصحة وجودة حياة أفضل.

On 13 March 2026, Ambassador YOKOTA Kenji signed a Grant Contract with Ms. Sawsan Bou Fakhreddine, representing the Association for Forests, Development and Conservation (AFDC), for a project to strengthen waste collection services in the village of Ras el Matn, located in the Baabda District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate. The project is supported through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) and aims to improve solid waste collection capacity and promote healthier and cleaner living conditions for vulnerable communities in the region.

Ras el Matn and surrounding villages—including Qortada, Deir el Harf, Qornayel, Falougha-Khalouat, and Btekhnay—have a total population of 22,348 residents. Waste collection services in these mountainous areas remain insufficient due to limited municipal capacity and reliance on ageing and inadequate equipment. Consequently, not all generated waste is adequately collected, leading to waste accumulation in streets, open burning at low temperatures, and increased risks of infections and environmental pollution. Through Japan’s assistance, the project provides three 3-tonne waste collection trucks, consisting of one truck equipped with hydraulic arms and two regular trucks, enabling a significant expansion of waste collection capacity across the targeted villages. The collected waste will be transported to a sorting facility in Ras el Matn, thereby contributing to the optimal utilisation of existing capacity and supporting improved waste separation and recycling practices in the area.

At the signing ceremony, Ambassador YOKOTA praised the efforts of the Association for Forests, Development and Conservation in addressing waste management challenges and promoting sustainable environmental practices in the Mount Lebanon region, even amidst the deteriorating situation. For its part, AFDC expressed its gratitude for Japan’s support and emphasized the importance of this project for
struggling municipalities, where effective waste collection services are essential for the well-being of local communities. It also affirmed its commitment to continued partnership with the Embassy of Japan in future initiatives.

AFDC continues to provide daily meals across shelters, supporting families and communities in need.

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✨ Happy New Year
Together, we step into a new year committed to protecting our land and growing hope.