The Water (In)Justice in Lebanon report, developed by CeSSRA in partnership with UNICEF, explores the systemic and lived dimensions of water insecurity through a case study in Bar Elias, a town emblematic of Lebanon’s broader socio-environmental fragility.
Through interviews with affected households and key informants, the report reveals how inadequate infrastructure, pollution of the Litani River, and failed governance converge to disproportionately impact vulnerable groups, especially women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
Water access is shaped not only by physical scarcity but also by socio-economic marginalization, geographic disparities, and political neglect, exacerbating inequalities in health, education, and dignity. The commodification of water and reliance on informal coping mechanisms highlight the urgent need for rights-based water governance and localized service delivery.
Beyond the immediate context of Bar Elias, the study offers a critical lens into Lebanon’s fractured water governance system and its inability to uphold the human right to water. It challenges policymakers to address both structural reforms and community-level needs, emphasizing the gendered burden of water poverty and the erosion of autonomy under compounded crises.
While the residents exhibit remarkable resilience through social networks and adaptive strategies, these are insufficient substitutes for systemic solutions. The report calls for an integrated approach linking environmental justice, infrastructure investment, and participatory governance to prevent water insecurity from deepening Lebanon’s socio-political divides.
