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Belgian Ambassador Pauwels Pays a Second Visit to Saida Municipality’s Operations Room to Review Updates on the Displacement Crisis and Sustainability Needs.

Saida Municipality – Media Office.

Saida Mayor Eng. Mustafa Hijazi received the Belgian Ambassador to Lebanon, Arnout Pauwels, accompanied by Professor Zouheir Moussa, at the Municipal Palace. The visit marked the ambassador’s second inspection tour of the Disaster Risk and Crisis Management Operations Room, aimed at following up on developments in the humanitarian response to the displacement crisis in the city and its surroundings. The meeting was attended by municipal council members Mohammad Dandashli, Baraa Hariri, Wael Kassab, Youssef Touma, Rami Bshasha, Majed Abdel Jawad, and Ahmad Choueib, in addition to Operations Room Director Wafaa Choueib. During the visit, the Belgian ambassador received detailed briefings from council members, each according to their area of responsibility and field follow-up. The presentation covered Updated relief data, including the latest figures on the number of displaced persons in shelters and private  homes, as well as developments in food and healthcare coverage rates. Health and environmental conditions, with explanations of the challenges facing infrastructure and efforts to ensure public safety within shelter centers. Sustainability requirements, highlighting the urgent and pressing needs necessary to maintain relief operations amid the prolonged crisis and increasing logistical pressures. Mayor Hijazi praised Belgium’s continued interest in Saida, stating:  “His Excellency the Ambassador’s second visit reflects the seriousness of our friendship and cooperation. We presented him with a comprehensive update on the field situation and the extent of the shortages we face in ensuring the sustainability of essential services. Saida is fulfilling its humanitarian duty, but we need international partners to help shoulder thisHis Excellency the Ambassador’s second visit reflects the seriousness of our friendship and cooperation. We presented him with a comprehensive update on the field situation and the extent of the shortages we face in ensuring the sustainability of essential services. Saida is fulfilling its humanitarian duty, but we need international partners to help shoulder this tremendous burden.” For his part, Ambassador Pauwels expressed his appreciation for the high level of professionalism demonstrated by Saida Municipality’s Operations Room in managing the crisis and maintaining accurate, up-to-date data. He affirmed that he would convey these updated needs to his government and to international donor agencies to explore ways of providing support that would ensure the continuity and stability of relief efforts in the city.