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Consultative Meeting at Sidon Municipality Presents Findings of the Water-Energy Nexus Study in Cooperation with .AUB, UNICEF, South Lebanon Water Establishment, and Neighborhood Committees

.Sidon Municipality – Media Office

Sidon Municipality hosted a broad consultative meeting to present and discuss the findings of a field study on the Water-Energy Nexus, examining the interconnection between the water, sanitation, hygiene, and energy sectors. The study was conducted by a research team from the American University of Beirut (AUB) in cooperation with UNICEF and the South Lebanon Water Establishment.

The meeting was attended by Sidon Mayor Eng. Mustafa Hijazi, Municipal Council Member and Head of the Neighborhood Committees, Mr. Mohammad Al-Shamas, UNICEF representative Mr. Nabil Rizk, and representatives of the South Lebanon Water Establishment, Dr. Nidal Hshisho and Mr. Mustafa Jawad. Representing the AUB research team were Dr. Shaza Aqiq, Ms. Marilys Raji, Ms. Nour Othman, and Ms. Reem El Helou. The meeting also saw active participation from local community representatives, including members of the Dalaa Street Committee and the Natasha Saad Committee.  During the session, the AUB team delivered a detailed presentation analyzing the situation in Sidon, highlighting the challenges residents face in accessing water amid the ongoing energy crisis. The presentation also outlined proposed strategies to strengthen community resilience, including: - Strengthening the role of neighborhood committees by enhancing community oversight to ensure equitable water distribution - Empowerment strategies through the inclusion of women and marginalized groups in awareness campaigns and resource management. - Promoting transparency by establishing clear guidelines for the use of water pumps and storage systems to prevent overconsumption and reduce pressure on the network. Mayor Eng. Mustafa Hijazi stressed the importance of scientific and academic cooperation in providing accurate data that enables the municipality to improve essential services. Mr. Mohammad Al-Shamas emphasized the key role of neighborhood committees, such as the Dalaa and Natasha Saad committees, as an essential link between citizens and local authorities to ensure the implementation of the study's recommendations. Representatives of the South Lebanon Water Establishment and UNICEF also discussed ways to translate the study into practical actions aimed at reducing inequalities in water access and easing pressure on the already strained infrastructure. The meeting concluded with an open discussion involving neighborhood committees on urgent needs and low-cost technical solutions that could improve the efficiency of water and energy use in Sidon.