Inclusive responsiveness in supporting SMEs in the aftermath of Beirut blast

On August 4th, the Beirut port blast has severely damaged entire neighbourhoods and dense residential and commercial areas in the capital and beyond. It killed almost 200 people, injured over 7,000, and left more than 300,000 homeless. Through the Post-Beirut Blast Response project, UNDP aims at supporting an integrated and inclusive area-based recovery in one of the most vulnerable areas damaged by the blast in Beirut, known as Karantina. Suffering from structural weaknesses that existed before the blast, UNDP will implement a comprehensive approach in the neighbourhood with the aim of supporting damaged houses and businesses, providing access to basic services, legal aid desks and health facilities; enhancing livelihoods and an environmentally safe space for local residents; and finally cultivating a collective memory of the blast.

Based on the result of the UNDP socio-economic assessment and the additional assessment conducted by the implementing partner, Al Majmoua, cash assistance activities were provided to 83 shops. Out of the total 98% of the selected shops owners were Lebanese. 231 people (83 owners and 148 employees) were directly reached by this intervention out of which 16% are women; the estimated number of indirect beneficiaries is 1,155. The main sectors of the selected shops are related to services like Taxi, Café shop, Hairdresser, furniture and food distribution. The intervention aims at reactivating the beneficiaries’ livelihoods and the local economy in the area.