UNESCO and UNHCR representatives and members of refugee families met at Bourj Hammoud Community Development Centre run by Caritas, on 23 December 2014, to announce the launch of the distribution campaign in different locations across Lebanon.

"Basic rights of freedom of expression and access to information are crucial elements to achieve sustainable peace", stated Communication and Information Programme Officer at UNESCO Beirut Office, Georges Awad. "Through this campaign, UNESCO hopes to strengthen information sharing between humanitarian actors, host communities and refugees". "Building on key achievements in this regard, this initiative will also play a major role in providing the much needed platform for people living within these communities to express their problems, opinions, concerns and needs", added Mr. Awad.

“This programme is an important opportunity to inform affected populations of available services and assistance provided by humanitarian agencies in Lebanon. Moreover, the programme has the critical role of conveying messages fostering social cohesion and thus contributes to harmonious relations between Lebanon’s communities,” said Mr. Claudio Delfabro, UNHCR Assistant Representative (Protection).

"This is a great initiative" said Ibrahim, media student and resident of the centre. "All refugees will benefit from this programme, but most specifically those living in remote areas, who need all the support they can get to access vital information for them and their kids". "I'm used to listening to radio in Syria, like many others of my age", said a 70 year old beneficiary at the centre. "I'm sure this (campaign) will bring some comfort to many living in these hard conditions in camps and community centres".

The radio' distribution campaign comes to compliment previous successful endeavours conducted in the framework of "Enabling a freedom of expression environment in the Arab region”; a project implemented by UNESCO through a generous fund from the governments of Finland and Sweden. Under this project, UNESCO and Radio Voice of Lebanon (VoL - 93.3.FM) launched in April 2014 “Nouzouh w Houmoum” (The refugees and their concerns), a radio programme targeting Syrian refugees as well as Lebanese host communities. Broadcasted every Thursday from 3 to 4 PM, the programme, highlights a particular topic or problem with a guest in studio backed up by reports from the field conducted by Syrian youth who received radio reporting and techniques training by UNESCO.

In the framework of the United Nations response to the Syrian refugees’ crisis in Lebanon, UNESCO Office in Beirut is conducting multiple efforts aiming to improve communication channels and provide the needed platforms for expression and information. UNESCO seeks through its programme to reinforce democratic participation and human rights; strengthen information flow related to Syrian refugees in Lebanon, in particular for women and youth; and facilitate their access to life-saving information.

UNHCR, which has worked in Lebanon since 1962, is the lead coordinator of the refugee response in Lebanon. Its overarching strategy remains to protect and assist refugees and other people of concern in close partnership with the Lebanese Government, UN agencies, and non-governmental organizations and partners. Along with over 60 agencies, it provides essential relief supplies, healthcare, education, psychosocial support, water, sanitation and shelter assistance to refugees and their hosting communities. Through its work, it also supports local communities and government institutions through a range of projects aimed at helping Lebanon care for one of the world's largest refugee populations.