Nabi Ayla, a town in Zahleh District in the Beqaa Valley, is home to around 3,200 Lebanese residents and 1,300 Syrian refugees. Lebanon’s economic crisis, coupled with the sustained presence of the refugee population, has severely impacted the municipality’s ability to provide basic services to community members, including the urgent need to improve public safety. The downtrodden road at the town’s entrance linking the village to its surroundings has been causing regular road accidents, especially during the harsh winter months, leading to enhanced communal tensions over public safety. In response, USAID’s Community Support Program (CSP) constructed a new 137-meter retaining wall with concrete barriers and side rails, which was completed in April 2022.

To further enhance road safety and maximize the impact of this investment, CSP launched groundworks on June 8, 2023 to extend the previously constructed retaining wall by 40 meters. The ongoing works include coring to embed new barriers on existing walls and preparations to install guard rails. In parallel, CSP and the Municipality of Nabi Ayla continue to prioritize engaging local vulnerable Lebanese labor in the construction process to build on the positive impact this had during initial works. This intervention, expected to be completed by the end of August 2023 before the winter season, is enhancing community accessibility, limiting safety hazards, and mitigating tensions for 4,500 residents.

“We really appreciate USAID’s efforts in Nabi Ayla. The retaining wall has been highly effective in preventing road accidents and landslides throughout this winter season. The wall’s additional section is needed to further increase traffic safety in the community”, said Mahmoud El Sayed, Mayor of Nabi Ayla.