Syria crisis puts Lebanese farmers at risk

EL QAA, 13 June 2013 (IRIN) - In Lebanon’s Beka’a Valley, bordering Syria, some farmers have abandoned their fields as the fight between Syrian rebels and government forces has spilled onto their territory. Those who can still harvest have trouble selling their crops because export routes to and through Syria have been interrupted. Some are now resorting to selling their animals to make ends meet. full report

Analysis: Hard choices: When the Syria aid response runs out of money

AMMAN, 11 June 2013 (IRIN) - Last week, the UN launched its largest ever appeal for $4.4 billion to help Syrians in need inside their country and in refugee settings throughout 2013. But as the needs continue growing, donors are increasingly fatigued. At this cost, is the aid operation sustainable? full report

Arab cities aim to build resilience to natural disasters

AQABA, 29 April 2013 (IRIN) - Prevention may be better than a cure, but for the authorities in Arab cities and towns, natural disasters up to now have been largely about coping with them after they have taken place. full report

Promised aid funding for Syria reaches half-way point

DUBAI, 18 April 2013 (IRIN) - Nearly three months ago, donors pledged $1.5 billion in humanitarian aid for the Syrian crisis. Today, Kuwait announced the transfer of its pledge of $300 million to international aid agencies and with that, half of the pledges have been fulfilled. IRIN takes a look at the status of the remaining pledges made in Kuwait, as aid agencies threaten to suspend their work for lack of funding. full report

Syria’s brain drain – another twist to the country’s crisis

DUBAI, 26 March 2013 (IRIN) - The exodus of educated and skilled Syrians is increasingly depleting the country’s workforce and the quality of its health services, already strained by two years of conflict. IRIN spoke to professionals inside and outside Syria about the difficult choice they faced and the impacts of their decisions to stay or leave - both on themselves and their country. full report

Disaster Risk Reduction in the Arab world

AQABA, 20 March 2013 (IRIN) - Nearly 300 government officials, scientists, aid workers and activists from across the Arab world are working together in Jordan to draw up the first joint regional platform for disaster risk reduction (DRR). full report

Export oil, import water – the Middle East’s risky economics

DUBAI, 5 March 2013 (IRIN) - The world’s driest region, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), is getting drier at an alarming rate. full report

Ten ways to develop southern Lebanon

TYRE, 15 February 2013 (IRIN) - For many residents of southern Lebanon, economic development in their region is a fool’s dream. The central government in Beirut, paralysed by political crisis, has done little to develop the peripheries of Lebanon, especially in the south, which is dominated by militant and political group Hezbollah. full report

Why southern Lebanon still matters

WAZZANI, 15 February 2013 (IRIN) - Southern Lebanon has been the scene of occupation and conflict for decades. Now, it is experiencing what might be the calmest period in its history. This provides a chance to finally sustainably develop the area and stabilize the border with Israel. But are donors, UN agencies and the government interested? full report