I am very happy to again be here in Lebanon. I am grateful to you, Mr. Prime Minister, for inviting me to join you at this launch of the Lebanon Crisis Response Plan.

Lebanon is at a critical moment. The political, security and economic challenges it faces as a result of the war in Syria are deeply serious. With an influx of over one million Syrians, 1 out of 4 of the population, Lebanon carries a uniquely heavy burden – being the host to the highest numbers of refugees per capita in the world.

Let me from the outset express my respect and admiration for Lebanon’s efforts as it strives wisely to stay out of the tragic Syria conflict. Lebanon’s resilience in the face of exceptional challenges remains a true measure of the country’s striving for unity.

We are here today because we recognize the enormous impact the Syrian crisis has had on Lebanon.  The strains on Lebanese institutions – health, education and infrastructure – mean that fewer services are provided to those most in need. For the poorest and most vulnerable, daily life has become dominated by hardship, poverty, limited access to public services and reduced chances to support a family.

We know that the Lebanese people have welcomed their Syrian neighbors with open arms.  They have been the first responders and the largest donors in real terms in this crisis. They are now stretched to the limit. They require and deserve substantial support of the international community.

The crisis has had a devastating impact on children and youth. Ensuring access to quality education remains one of the greatest challenges of the overall response, both for Lebanese and Syrian children.

Currently Lebanon is hosting over 400,000 school-aged Syrian children. Most of them are today out of school. This has resulted in 50 per cent more students than the formal public school system normally absorbs.

This constitutes a tremendous burden for any nation. We must realize that the future of these children is our shared responsibility.

We all agree that the lasting solution to the problems facing Lebanon is a political solution in Syria which ends the fighting and allows for the voluntary and safe return of the Syrians to their homes. The United Nations continues to explore every possible avenue to achieve this goal.

The concerns and the impatience of the Lebanese people are nonetheless understandable. Much more must be done to address the serious consequences of the ongoing war in Syria.  National capacities in Lebanon must be strengthened to address structural poverty and alleviate social tensions.  At the same time, immediate humanitarian needs must be met.

The Lebanon Crisis Response Plan is designed to reinforce stability in Lebanon, while protecting its most vulnerable inhabitants and institutions. The Plan is an innovative joint effort by the Government and the international community to develop strategies, mobilize funds to mitigate the impact of the crisis on Lebanon.

Importantly, the Plan promotes priorities for stabilization identified by the Government. It will put in place arrangements for the Government to lead the response. It clearly reflects Government priorities, consistent with internationally recognized norms.

The Lebanon Crisis Response Plan is intended to target the most urgent human and institutional needs and to direct resources to the most vulnerable locations and thereby increase stability overall. The 2.1 billion dollar plan includes proposals to provide protection and assistance to over two million vulnerable people, Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinians alike.

The Plan includes investment in services, communities and Lebanese institutions reaching up to 2.9 million people in the poorest parts of the country. It aims to build national capacities of Lebanon in order to both meet immediate challenges and strengthen overburdened institutions, and infrastructure.

Investing in the resilience of Lebanon, which traditionally is a beacon for freedom and coexistence, at a time when this region is mired in conflict, is clearly necessary and worthwhile for all. Failure to do so could have tragic consequences.

Recent funding shortfalls threatened critical food assistance to 900,000 people in need in Lebanon, forcing many families to face fateful decisions between food on the table, warm clothing for winter, paying the rent or buying medicine for a sick child.  Our thanks go out to the donors whose speedy response to the World Food Program’s call averted a crisis.

Addressing the enormous challenges of Lebanon is a burden that no country in the world could or should face alone.   On behalf of the Secretary General, I call on UN Member States to show solidarity and step up their assistance to Lebanon and its people. This is a question of survival needs for refugees but also about helping host communities and vital Lebanese government programs under pressure. 

I also call on all countries capable of resettling Syrian refugees to do so.  As you know, a Conference was held last week in Geneva to encourage third country resettlement of Syrian refugees. I thank those governments which have agreed to help in a spirit of shared responsibility. 

The United Nations is deeply engaged in the future of Lebanon. We have a profound interest and commitment to Lebanon’s unity, sovereignty and stability. There are more than 10,000 UNIFIL peace-keepers deployed in the South. 24 UN agencies are working in the country. Many of them have dramatically scaled up their work since 2011.

The International Support Group (ISG) for Lebanon - established by the Secretary-General last year – exemplifies the high level of international support which exists for this country’s situation and future.

Today’s launch of the Lebanon Crisis Response Plan is the result of intense consultations between many in Government, the UN and the wider community. It shows our determination to continue to work in partnership going forward with Lebanon. The challenges are considerable. We can only meet them if we work together in a determined way. 

It is in this positive spirit that the Lebanon Crisis Response Plan was developed and is presented to you today.  Let us give it our full support. Thank you.