Deputy Anaya Ezzeddine Calls for National Strategy on Displacement and Recovery Aligned with Sustainable Development Goals

Deputy Anaya Ezzeddine, chairwoman of the Parliamentary Committee on Women and Children and head of the Parliamentary Commission for Implementing the Sustainable Development Plan, called on the Lebanese government to address the issue of displacement and the repercussions of the Israeli war on Lebanon through a comprehensive and integrated vision. She emphasized the need for cooperation among various sectors and the adoption of a national strategy that lays the foundation for the recovery and reconstruction phase. Ezzeddine stressed that this phase, despite its importance, should not be limited to relief efforts but must also consider developmental, social, psychological, and cultural dimensions, while adhering to principles of sustainability, participation, and prudent and effective spending.

Ezzeddine made these remarks while presiding over a meeting convened in her capacity as head of the Parliamentary Commission for Implementing the Sustainable Development Plan. The meeting included the attendance of Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Tarek Metri, Minister of Environment Dr. Tamara Zein, representatives from the Ministries of Health, Education, and Social Affairs, as well as officials from international organizations such as the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office, UNESCO, ESCWA, UNICEF, the World Food Programme, UN Women, the Secretary-General of the Executive Council of the National Council for Scientific Research, and several members of parliament.

The meeting focused on discussing the effects of the Israeli war and its impact on Lebanon’s progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Participants examined national response priorities, necessary measures to mitigate the consequences, pathways for recovery and reconstruction, and advancement toward the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals.

Ezzeddine stated that the required approach involves addressing the consequences of the enemy’s acts of destruction through a comprehensive perspective that considers their impact on the Sustainable Development Goals. This approach would enable assessment of damages and identification of losses across various developmental dimensions. She emphasized that the primary objective is the human being and their rights, with a focus on setting priorities for the post-war phase. This includes attention to social, economic, and environmental challenges, as well as the protection of cultural identity.

She also highlighted the risk of social fragmentation resulting from the dispersal of families across multiple regions, urging attention to its psychological and social effects, especially on children and youth. Regarding education, Ezzeddine pointed out that the issue extends beyond the destruction of schools to include the accumulated educational losses since the COVID-19 pandemic, continuing through the recent war in 2024 and into 2026, which negatively affects Lebanon’s human capital.

Addressing the government, Ezzeddine remarked that after all this time, it is no longer acceptable for the response to the crisis to remain limited to relief efforts. She insisted on prioritizing social, psychological, and developmental aspects.

She noted that some issues should have already been resolved by the responsible governmental bodies, citing the incident in the town of Sahmar, where disagreements among several concerned ministries and the lack of preparedness to secure shelter centers resulted in casualties.

Ezzeddine further mentioned that during the meeting, Minister Metri presented documentation efforts underway. She called for this documentation to be conducted in a manner aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and for the resulting reports to be distributed to Lebanese diplomatic missions abroad to support Lebanon’s position.

Additionally, the Minister of Environment presented on the environmental damages and violations caused by the war, while the Secretary-General of the Executive Council of the National Council for Scientific Research provided an overview of the damages affecting each of the Sustainable Development Goals.

In conclusion, Ezzeddine affirmed that this issue will be followed up through a smaller committee formed from the meeting.