- Implementation Support Agency (ISA): World Bank
- Total project financing: $200 million
- Funding from GCFF: $45.4 million
- GCFF Financing Approval Date: 10/29/2016
- Project Closing Date: 06/30/2023
- % Disbursed: 98%
- Status: Under implementation
About the project
This is the first project Lebanon submitted to the GCFF, and is designed to meet Lebanon’s developmental needs in the road sector while also stimulating the economy and creating jobs for refugees and hosts. To timely respond to these challenges and quickly inject much needed investments to stimulate economic growth and create jobs, this project was prepared and will be implemented according to the World Bank’s Operational Policy (OP) related to projects in situations of urgent need of assistance or capacity constraints.
Project Development Objective (PDO)
To: (i) improve transport connectivity along select paved road sections; and (ii) create short term jobs for Lebanese and Syrians.
Project Implementation Status
The Roads and Employment Project (REP) was approved by the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors on February 6, 2017
and became effective on October 30, 2018. The original Project Development Objectives (PDO) were to: (i) improve transport connectivity along select paved road sections; and (ii) create short term jobs for Lebanese and Syrians. The project was restructured five times since its effectiveness and closed on June 30, 2025. The Grace Period ends on October 31, 2025. Disbursements as of July 21, 2025, amount to US$196.1 million (98% of the loan amount), including around US$10 million that remain in the Designated Account (DA) at the Central Bank of Lebanon and should be refunded or documented by October 31, 2025. The project reached all its targets, and all indicators in the results framework were more or less achieved or over-achieved. The results listed below were achieved as of end of March 2025 (the report showcasing the results by June 30, 2025 is expected mid-
August 2025):
- The project rehabilitated around 535 km of roads (overachieving the initial target of 500 km) and maintained more than 900 km. This includes around 241 km of roads with improved climate resilience through improved drainage and slope stabilization.
- The project also generated around 1.33 million labor-days (overachieving the target of 1.25 million labor-days).
- The project reduced average travel time on five priority road sections by around 16% (overachieving the target of 15%), and reduced road crash fatalities on the same five sections by around 21% (overachieving the target of 15%).
- 882 labor-days of hands-on practical training were delivered, in addition to 9,420 labor-days of training on social and environmental safeguards, and occupational health and safety, among other subjects.
- Around 1.5 million animal vaccine doses were administered (150% of the target and 94% of the procured vaccines) and 26,687 farmers benefited from improved access to inputs.
- More than 90% of beneficiaries surveyed were satisfied with the project results under Component 1, and around 99% of beneficiaries were satisfied with the support received under Component 4.
- 4 packages of equipment were delivered between November 29, 2019, and July 27, 2020, including 15-wheel loaders, 10 snow blowers, 5 salt spreaders and 10 four-wheel drive vehicles. The regional offices of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport are using the equipment to respond to cold climate hazards.
Relevant Documents: