Rubble Removal and Reconstruction Reform Tracker[1] Reform Area: Rubble Removal and Reconstruction Last Updated: August 2025 Citizen Impact Summary Dimension Snapshot Source Who Is Affected? Over 100,000 residents displaced, 53,000 housing units fully destroyed, 127,000 severely damaged, and 317,000 partially damaged; entire southern border villages (e.g., Houla, Aita al-Shaab, Ramiyeh) saw 70–90% destruction. Public schools, municipal buildings, health centers, and water/electric networks are non-functional. CDW Policy Brief (AUB Nature Center, Nov. 2024); UN Debris Taskforce Statement (May 2025); Council of the South, “An-Nahar”, 20 April 2025; World Bank RDNA 2025; Mohammad Chamseddine interview, Manaaṭeq Net; Financial Burden? Total damage: ~$11 billion; housing: $7B, infrastructure: $1B, rubble removal: $35M; WB approved $250M (loan/grant mix), covering <3% of needs; no Gulf or EU pledges yet. Lebanon’s Rubble Crisis: A Choice Between Environmental Rehabilitation and Irreversible Damage; UN Debris Taskforce Statement (May 2025); Council of the South, “An-Nahar”, 20 April 2025; WB RDNA 2025; Khaled Abou Chakra interview, Manaaṭeq Net, July 2025 Public Services? Water, electricity, schools, and roads remain disrupted; e.g., Houla residents rely on trucked water at $30/20 barrels, schools demolished; rubble blocks access and delays service restoration. 3RF Recovery Framework for Beirut and Lebanon (2023–2024); Interviews with Houla and Meiss el-Jabal mayors, Manaaṭeq Net, July 2025 MentalHealth Toll? Severe trauma due to displacement, UXO risks, and slow debris removal; families live amid toxic rubble, asbestos, and sea dumping; community frustration rising over lack of state-led reconstruction. Addressing the Impact of the 2024 War and Promoting Sustainable Practices for Debris Removal in Lebanon; 3RF Recovery Framework for Beirut and Lebanon (2023–2024); CDW Policy Brief (AUB Nature Center, Nov. 2024); UN Debris Taskforce Statement (May 2025); Najat Saliba interview, Manaaṭeq Net, July 2025 Overview & Objectives Goal To remove and manage an estimated 50–100 million tons of rubble in a safe, sustainable, inclusive, and accountable manner—while restoring state legitimacy and social trust. Strategic Importance This reform is pivotal for environmental recovery, public health, infrastructure restoration, and a cornerstone of national recovery and reconciliation, as emphasized in the 2025 ministerial statement. Key Reform Priorities 1. Operationalize “Law on Exemptions & Reconstruction of Demolished Buildings” (July 2025), includes tax/service exemptions and conditional assistance. 2. Centralize rubble removal governance under a single authority to replace fragmented mandates. 3. Enforce environmental and UXO protocols for rubble removal and prevent illegal sea dumping. 4. Activate Reconstruction Fund and donor pipeline beyond WB’s $250M symbolic financing. 5. Embed municipal and CSO-led initiatives into the national reconstruction plan. Reform Actions & StatusSpecific Reform Actions & Accountability Reform Action Required Current Status Lead Authority Implementing Body Oversight / Supporting Actors Primary Source Establish Transparent Reconstruction Fund Law approved; fund not operational; WB $250M loan signed; the law is partial (property-focused) and not a national reconstruction plan. Council of Ministers MoF, PMO, CDR World Bank, donors, anti-corruption bodies Ministerial Statement, 25 Feb 2025; WB RDNA 2025; Manaaṭeq Net Implement Law on Exemptions & Demolished Buildings Law passed July 2025; includes tax/service exemptions, conditional financial aid, and duty-free vehicle replacement. Parliament / MoF MoF, Municipalities Council of Ministers Manaaṭeq Net Central Oversight for Rubble Removal Fragmented: Council of South, CDR, and municipal unions act independently Council of Ministers MoE, CDR, HRC Central Inspection (indirect) Najat Saliba interview, Manaaṭeq Net, July 2025 Make MoE Guidelines Legally Binding Weak compliance: sea dumping at Costa Brava, minimal sorting, no full EIA enforcement Ministry of Environment Contractors, Municipalities UN Debris Taskforce, Central Inspection MoE Presentation, Feb 2025; Najat Saliba interview, Manaaṭeq Net, July 2025 Mandate Use of Quarries for Disposal Weak enforcement – dumping continues in unregulated coastal and valley sites; quarry rehabilitation remains largely voluntary. Ministry of Environment Contractors MoE, Environment Police Youth4Governance Policy Brief, Feb 2025 Establish National CDW Database Proposed – identified as a priority in MoE’s 2025 action plan; no operational system yet. Ministry of Environment MoE PCM, Municipalities MoE Presentation, Feb 2025 Transparent Contractor Framework Partial: Beta & EMC contracts signed at $5.01 urban / $3.65 rural per m³; informal scrap incentives persist Council of the South Contractors, local subcontractors Municipalities, Media Manaaṭeq Net, July 2025 EIA Screening Compliance for Contractors MoE Circular issued, non-binding – contractors are not legally obligated to follow EIA compliance; screening forms exist but lack enforcement. Ministry of Environment Contractors MoPWT, MoF, Procurement Units MoE Presentation, Feb 2025 Hazardous Material Protocols (Asbestos, UXO, etc.) Guidelines exist, not enforced – security and health risks persist due to unclear implementation mechanisms for hazardous material detection and separation. MoE, LAF Security Forces, Contractors MoPH, UN agencies CDW Policy Brief (AUB Nature Center, Nov. 2024) Develop Circular Recycling Infrastructure Not systematized – pilot efforts exist but no formal circular economy policy has been implemented for CDW. Ministry of Environment Private Sector, Municipalities AUB, CDR, World Bank, EU Delegation CDW Policy Brief (AUB Nature Center, Nov. 2024) Integrate Municipal & CSO Reconstruction Initiatives Ongoing ad hoc: Houla & Meiss el-Jabal lead self-funded water & solar recovery Municipalities Local CSOs, Diaspora UNIFIL, NGOs Municipal interviews, Manaaṭeq Net Reform Roadmap Timeline & Critical PathRecent Milestone Recent Milestone Date What Happened Status on Critical Path Source Law on Exemptions & Demolished Buildings passed 1 July 2025 Property-focused law enacted; provides tax/service exemptions and conditional financial assistance Core Legal Milestone WB RDNA 2025; Public Works Studio July 2025 WB approves $250M loan 25 June 2025 Initial symbolic financing for rubble removal & infrastructure repair Funding Initiated WB Press Release Council of South contracts awarded 17 Feb 2025 Beta & EMC begin rubble removal; subcontract to village operators Operational Start Manaaṭeq Net Rubble pricing set April 2025 $3.65/m³ rural & $5.01/m³ urban formalized Financial Terms Finalized Council of South PM announces donor conference initiative June 2025 PM Salam announced plans for donor conference focused on reconstruction and strategic investment Roadmap Under Preparation PM Speech, 10 June 2025 Draft compensation law submitted to Parliament June 2025 Government submitted draft compensation law to Parliament covering tax/service fee exemptions for affected residents   PM Speech, 10 June 2025 MoE Circular on War Debris Guidelines Dec 2024 The Ministry of Environment issued a circular providing guidelines for managing war-generated rubble, recommending disposal in environmentally degraded sites, particularly quarries. However, this circular remains non-binding. Lacks enforcement Youth4Governance Policy Brief, Feb 2025 Gov’t approval of Solid Waste Authority Jan 2024 The Council of Ministers approved the organizational decree under Law 80 (2018) to establish the National Solid Waste Management Authority, aiming to centralize waste management efforts. Partial progress Law No.80 of 2018 on Integrated Solid Waste Management World Bank Presents Reconstruction Project March 2025 The World Bank introduced a $1 billion reconstruction project to Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, including a $250 million loan for initial reconstruction efforts. Initiated Funding Process OLJ News Report UN Launches Debris Taskforce May 2025 The United Nations established a Debris Taskforce in Lebanon to manage rubble removal with a focus on sustainability and rights-based approaches. Enhanced Coordination UN Sustainable Development Group Mobilize South Lebanon Council for debris ops March–May 2025 Operational in South, Bekaa, Nabatieh; 80% damage survey completed; 2-month deadline for contractors to clear 35K units Operational Execution Council of the South, "An-Nahar", 20 April 2025 Set rubble pricing and contractor terms April 2025 Official rate set at $3.65/m³ rural and $5.01/m³ urban; contracts underway Financial Terms Finalized Council of the South, "An-Nahar", 20 April 2025  Next Steps – Transparency and Accountability Calendar Action Responsible Entity Target Date Source Issue implementing decrees for “Law on Exemptions & Reconstruction of Demolished Buildings” (July 2025) CoM + MoF + Parliament Q3 2025 WB RDNA 2025 Finalize valuation and survey mechanism for affected properties MoF + HRC + Council of the South Q3 2025 Youth4Governance Policy Brief, Feb 2025 Publish criteria and process for conditional financial aid (property-focused) MoF + Municipalities Q3 2025 Public Works Studio July 2025; Manaaṭeq Net Operationalize Reconstruction Fund & Board CoM + MoF + Parliament Q3 2025 Public Works Studio July 2025; Manaaṭeq Net Hold International Reconstruction Donor Conference Prime Minister’s Office   PM Speech, June 2025 Approve legal framework for compensation and service fee exemptions Parliament   PM Speech, 10 June 2025; Al Modon, June 2025 Establish legal basis and governance framework for Reconstruction Fund Council of Ministers + Parliament - Ministerial Statement, 25 Feb 2025 Amend Decision 4/12/2024 to create oversight body Council of Ministers - Youth4Governance Policy Brief, Feb 2025 Issue decree making MoE guidelines binding MoE + Council of Ministers - MoE Presentation, Feb 2025 Launch CDW database & public dashboard MoE + Municipalities - MoE Presentation, Feb 2025 Legal amendment to link Law 444/2002 to CDW violations Parliament - Youth4Governance Policy Brief, Feb 2025 Finalize National Rubble Management Policy Prime Minister’s Office - Youth4Governance Policy Brief, Feb 2025 Public Disclosure of Reconstruction Contracts Court of Audit - News Report Launch of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) Ministry of Environment - Public Works Studio Report, May 2025   Implementation Bottlenecks & Required Actions Bottleneck Official Explanation Required Immediate Action Source Incomplete damage valuation framework No standardized law or formula exists to determine compensation; surveys exist, but payout mechanisms stalled Finalize law, issue implementing decrees, publish regional damage cost tables Al Modon, June 2025 Government reconstruction efforts trail CSO initiatives CSOs have outpaced the government in rebuilding homes; state risks losing credibility and coordination Launch national housing plan with timeline and funding strategy PM Speech; Al Modon, June 2025 No EIA-linked enforcement of contractor actions Contractors avoid UXO detection, environmental separation due to lax oversight Mandate environmental audits, enforce via MoE, LAF, UNDP joint protocols UN Debris Taskforce Statement (May 2025); Council of the South, "An-Nahar", 20 April 2025 No designated treatment sites in some areas Temporary dumping sites approved; final environmental screening pending Finalize vetting of sites (e.g. Cana, Naqoura); enforce site-specific disposal protocols UN Debris Taskforce Statement (May 2025) Rubble with iron prioritized by contractors Contractors cherry-pick recyclable debris, leaving hazardous rubble untreated Supervise rubble sorting at source; enforce equal removal of all CDW categories UN Debris Taskforce Statement (May 2025); Council of the South, "An-Nahar", 20 April 2025 No dedicated reconstruction fund Fund is politically committed but not yet established; legal and fiscal framework needed. Issue decree to establish fund and governance board; pass enabling legislation in Parliament Ministerial Statement, 25 Feb 2025 No Enforcement of MoE Guidelines MoE issued a circular on December 4, 2024, but it lacks legal force. The guidelines are not binding and not incorporated in current contracts. MoE lacks enforcement power or legal mandate to penalize non-compliance. Link to Law 444/2002, make it enforceable Youth4Governance Policy Brief, Feb 2025 Lack of Centralized Coordination/Dispersed Mandates among Actors No central authority exists. The Council of Ministers delegated responsibilities to several entities (MoE, MoIM, HRC, municipalities) without a unifying strategy, leading to fragmented execution. Establish a centralized authority or task force to oversee and coordinate all rubble removal and reconstruction activities, ensuring adherence to national standards and efficient resource utilization. Youth4Governance Policy Brief, Feb 2025 Contractors dictate disposal by convenience/Absence of contractor compliance audits. Contractors decide disposal routes post-contract due to lack of monitoring or compliance audits. Procurement mechanisms do not embed MoE guidelines or environmental safeguards effectively. No monitoring of environmental safeguards in awarded contracts. Embed MoE standards in tenders and monitor execution. Empower oversight bodies to audit tender execution, enforce sanctions. Youth4Governance Policy Brief, Feb 2025; LCPS-TI Reform Monitor Stakeholders & Roles Entity Core Function Primary Contact Point Ministry of Environment Policy, guidelines, EIA, environmental monitoring Environment Directorate Ministry of Public Works Infrastructure rehabilitation, permitting CDW Technical Committee Council of Ministers Coordination, policy setting, regulatory reform Secretary General Higher Relief Council Emergency rubble response, fund allocation President of the HRC South Lebanon Council Local rubble clearance and contractor coordination   Southern Suburb Union of Municipalities Manages disposal sites independently of MoE   Municipalities Local implementation and oversight Union of Municipalities Environment Police Intended oversight role; lacks mandate and resources   Lebanese Armed Forces UXO removal, debris site security Army Engineering Command UN Debris Taskforce Inter-agency coordination on CDW; standards, EIA, rights-based recovery UN Resident Coordinator Donors (EU, WB, UNDP) Technical, financial support Lebanon Recovery Platform Legal & Policy Framework Instrument Status Key Provisions Implementation Note Circular No. 6/1 (MoE, 2024) In force (non-binding) Provides environmental guidelines for rubble handling, including mandatory use of quarries, hazardous material separation, and reuse of debris Requires legal decree or regulatory amendment to be binding Law No. 444/2002 (Environment) In force Establishes environmental protection and penalties for pollution Needs linkage to CDW violations Law No. 80/2018 (Solid Waste) Partially operational Calls for integrated solid waste management and authority CoM decree approved in Jan 2024 MoE Circular on CDW (Dec 2024) Advisory only Guidelines on disposal, quarry use, hazard handling Requires decree to be binding Decision 4/12/2024 In effect Delegates removal mandates, lacks coordination or enforcement tools Needs amendment for centralized authority Decree No. 5605/2019 In force Governs hazardous waste separation and disposal Referenced in MoE’s CDW guidelines Decree No. 5606/2019 In force Enforces sorting of waste at the source Needed to operationalize rubble sorting procedures Law No. 64/1988 In force Regulates hazardous and toxic waste Applicable to asbestos, UXO, and chemical debris   Official Sources and Reference Materials Instrument Source Ministerial Statement (25 Feb 2025) Ministerial Statement, 25 Feb 2025 CDW Policy Brief (AUB Nature Center, Nov. 2024) CDW Policy Brief (AUB Nature Center, Nov. 2024) MoE Presentation on Debris Management (Feb. 2025) MoE Presentation, Feb 2025 Youth4Governance Policy Brief (Feb 2025) Youth4Governance Policy Brief, Feb 2025 3RF Recovery Framework for Beirut and Lebanon (2023–2024) 3RF Recovery Framework for Beirut and Lebanon (2023–2024)     List of Acronyms – Rubble Removal and Reconstruction Reform Tracker Acronym Full Form CDW Construction and Demolition Waste CDR Council for Development and Reconstruction CoM Council of Ministers EIA Environmental Impact Assessment EU European Union HRC Higher Relief Council LAF Lebanese Armed Forces LCPS Lebanese Center for Policy Studies MoE Ministry of Environment MoF Ministry of Finance MoIM Ministry of Interior and Municipalities MoPWT Ministry of Public Works and Transport MoPH Ministry of Public Health NGO Non-Governmental Organization PCM Presidency of the Council of Ministers PMO Prime Minister’s Office SOGIESC Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics (Used in other trackers – anticipate use) UN United Nations UNDP United Nations Development Programme UXO Unexploded Ordnance WB World Bank 3RF Reform, Recovery and Reconstruction Framework   [1] All reform data presented here is based on official Lebanese government sources, such as laws, decrees, strategies, and verified public data. Where possible, each update is linked to a document, gazette entry, or institutional publication. read more

Social Protection Reform Tracker[1] Reform Area: Universal, rights‑based & shock‑responsive Social Protection System Last Updated: August 2025 Citizen Impact Summary Dimension Snapshot Source Who Is Affected? All Lebanese citizens across the lifecycle; highest gains for ≈ 2 million people now under, or near, the monetary poverty line, esp. children, older persons, persons with disabilities (PwDs), informal‑economy workers, and female‑headed households. National Social Protection Strategy (NSPS) 2023 executive summary; World Bank Poverty and Equity Assessment 2024 Financial Burden? Extreme poor households spend ~80% on food, rent, health; pensions eroded by currency collapse; high out-of-pocket health costs; informal workers lack social protection. ESSN Project Reports; UN Lebanon Position Paper; IMF Conditionality Evidence Summary Public Services? Health, education, and social services severely degraded; NSSF coverage reaches ~50% of formal workers; DAEM registry improves targeting but major gaps remain. National Social Protection Strategy; ESSN–AMAN Updates; UN System Reports Mental‑Health Toll? High stress among families, especially women and older persons; exclusion worsens social isolation; caregivers under strain; children’s well-being under threat. National Strategy for Older Persons 2020–2030; Overview & Objectives Goal Transition from fragmented, donor-driven safety nets to a universal, rights-based, shock-responsive, and fiscally sustainable social protection system that guarantees dignity, inclusion, and resilience across the life cycle. Strategic Importance Central to rebuilding the social contract, reducing multidimensional poverty and inequality, supporting informal workers, and stabilizing vulnerable communities in the context of protracted crises. Key Reform Priorities (2024‑26) 1- Enact the Social Protection Framework Law (2024/302) and implement Pension Reform Law (319/2023) through decrees, institutional restructuring, and fiscal integration. 2- Introduce and scale up universal non-contributory social pensions for persons aged 65+ and disability allowances in line with CRPD. 3- Integrate NPTP, ESSN, and other transfers under a unified National Safety Net using the DAEM-SPIS platform and lifecycle-based targeting. 4- Reform NSSF pension and health schemes to expand voluntary enrollment, especially for informal workers, and ensure sustainability. 5- Approve a domestic financing roadmap (0.7% of GDP) for long-term sustainability, reducing dependency on external grants and humanitarian pipelines. 6- Enhance governance through SPCU coordination, DAEM 2.0 rollout, and enforcement of data governance and third-party monitoring protocols. Reform Actions & StatusSpecific Reform Actions & Accountability Reform Action Required Current Status (May 2025) Lead Authority Implementing Body Oversight / Supporting Actors Primary Source 1. Finalize scope of Unified Social Registry Terms of Reference approved; State Council resolved data privacy concerns; decree pending Council of Ministers vote PCM MOSA + PCM Technical Unit EU Delegation, UNICEF, ILO National Social Protection Policy Paper ARI, Oct 2024 2. Draft NSPS Action Plan Action plan not yet finalized; no formal circulation or costing validation publicly confirmed Inter-ministerial SP Committee MOSA World Bank, UNDP “Commitment to Develop a Resilient Social Protection System” 2025 3. Activate Pension Law 319/2023 Law approved; executive decrees under preparation; fiscal impact study pending cabinet review Council of Ministers Ministry of Labour / NSSF ILO, IMF, Parliament National Social Protection Policy Paper ARI, Oct 2024 4. Secure Domestic Financing Plan Ministry of Finance–PCM working group completed 0.7% GDP financing proposal; awaiting Cabinet endorsement Council of Ministers Ministry of Finance World Bank, IMF National Social Protection Policy Paper ARI, Oct 2024 5. Initiate scale-up of Disability Allowance Pilot launched in 2023; scale-up roadmap under technical finalization MoSA MoSA + SPCU UNICEF, ILO “Commitment to Develop a Resilient Social Protection System” 2025 6. Transition from End-of-Service Indemnity to Contributory Pension Scheme (Law 319/2023) Law adopted; executive decrees pending; actuarial and fiscal transition scenarios under review Parliament / Council of Ministers Ministry of Labour + NSSF ILO, IMF, WB An-Nahar, May 2025 7. Establish Unified Social Health Protection Scheme Fragmented schemes mapped; roadmap to consolidate under a unified scheme under technical design MoPH + Council of Ministers NSSF + CSC + Army Health WHO, ILO, UNICEF An-Nahar, May 2025 8. Modernize and Digitize Social Development Centers (SDCs) ISOSEP project rehabilitated 30+ centers; expansion and digital services integration ongoing MoSA MoSA + AICS + EU EU, Italian Cooperation An-Nahar, May 2025 9. Strengthen coordination via reactivation of Social Affairs Committee Committee inactive; reform proposal under review within MoSA PCM MoSA + MoPH + MoL + MEHE UNDP, ESCWA, EU Delegation An-Nahar, May 2025 10. Expand AMAN Emergency Cash Program Coverage expanded to 800,000 individuals; additional funding secured PCM + MoSA MoSA + SPCU WB, UN agencies PM Speech, June 2025 11. Launch 4-year multisector recovery plan (South) Multi-sector strategy co-designed with UN agencies; includes social protection pillar PCM MoSA + UNCT UNRCO, UNDP, UNICEF PM Speech, June 2025  Reform Roadmap Timeline & Critical PathRecent Milestone Date Description Critical Path Status Source July 9, 2025 Social Protection Expenditure Review 2017‑2024 launched, highlighting fiscal gaps and sustainability roadmap. Strategic milestone MoF & Basile Fleihan Institute 2025 10 June 2025 PM announces expanded AMAN coverage and outlines Lebanon’s 3.0 vision including integrated social justice and protection Strategic vision milestone PM Speech, June 2025 12 May 2025 Pension Law 319/2023 fiscal impact study submitted to CoM Awaiting cabinet scheduling National Social Protection Policy Paper ARI, Oct 2024 20 Apr 2022 Government adopts National Social Protection Strategy (NSPS) with five foundational pillars Completed on‑time National Social Protection Strategy (NSPS) 2023 executive summary 05 Jan 2025 DAEM Social Registry v2 launches with expanded modules and data linkages Completed National Social Protection Policy Paper ARI, Oct 2024 15 December 2023 Parliament passes Pension Law as part of elderly care reform Completed UN, 2023  Next Steps – Transparency and Accountability Calendar Action Responsible Entity Target Date Cabinet approval of Unified Social Registry decree & data governance protocol PCM + MoSA Pending Cabinet approval of Domestic Financing Plan (0.7% GDP) MoF + CoM Awaiting endorsement Finalize and launch 4-year South Recovery Plan including Social Protection pillar PCM + UN Agencies + MoSA N/A Publish NSPS Annual Implementation Report 2024 SPCU N/A Develop NSPS into an integrated Social Development Plan with decentralization lens MoSA + Council of Ministers N/A Restructure and activate the Inter-ministerial Social Affairs Committee CoM, MoSA, MoPH, MoL, MEHE Pending reform proposal Design national job activation and decent work programs MoL + CDR + Donor Partners   Parliament vote on Health Coverage Law for retirees and toward universal retirement-age health Parliament Health Committee + Parliament General Assembly Stalled Reform institutional governance of social protection institutions CoM + Parliament + NSSF Board   Ensure equitable integration of fragmented health coverage systems MoPH + NSSF + CSC + Army Health Directorate   Approve domestic financing plan for NSPS Council of Ministers + Ministry of Finance N/A Scale-up of Disability Allowance with OPD consultation MoSA + SPCU + UNICEF/ILO Technical prep underway Finalize governance protocol for Social Protection Information System (SPIS) PCM + MoSA N/A  Implementation Bottlenecks & Required Actions Bottleneck Official Explanation Required Action Source Fiscal space constraints High debt burden; limited domestic revenue Adopt domestic reallocation plan (0.7% GDP) and explore earmarked funding under NSPS financing plan National Social Protection Policy Paper ARI, Oct 2024 Political turnover risk Cabinet reshuffles delaying law approvals Build inter-party consensus and fast-track key parliamentary votes National Social Protection Policy Paper ARI, Oct 2024 Data-sharing and privacy gaps Ministries hesitant to share sensitive databases Finalize and issue data governance protocols under Unified Social Registry decree National Social Protection Strategy (NSPS) 2023 executive summary Fragmented governance Multiplicity of actors with weak inter-agency links Consolidate coordination under SPCU; clarify mandates through legal frameworks “Commitment to Develop a Resilient Social Protection System” 2025 Humanitarian-to-national transition gaps Parallel humanitarian pipelines bypass national systems Integrate humanitarian caseloads via DAEM-SPIS interoperability, with donor alignment enforced National Social Protection Policy Paper ARI, Oct 2024 Public trust / corruption perception Low confidence in cash transfer transparency Expand third-party monitoring and grievance mechanisms under NSPS framework National Social Protection Strategy (NSPS) 2023 executive summary; CAMEALEON & ARI, Oct 2024   Stakeholders & Roles Entity Core Function Contact Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) Sector lead; oversees NSPS, ESSN, NDA; hosts and chairs the SPCU info@socialaffairs.gov.lb Ministry of Finance (MoF) Leads NSPS financing and fiscal risk assessments; co-chairs financing working group with PCM infocenter@finance.gov.lb National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Administers contributory pensions and health coverage; implementing Pension Reform Law 319/2023 info@cnss.gov.lb Central Inspection Office / IMPACT Manages DAEM Social Registry platform, MIS integration, data quality assurance, and inter-agency access protocols info@cib.gov.lb SPCU (Social Protection Coordination Unit, within MoSA) Coordinates NSPS implementation, monitors results, prepares reports, and liaises with donors and technical partners   Committee on Public Health, Labor, and Social Affairs Oversees legislative review of social protection laws, including the Framework Law and Pension Law amendments   ILO & UNICEF Provide technical support for pension design, disability allowance, child grant, data protection, and costing beirut@unicef.org; beirut@ilo.org EU Delegation to Lebanon Provides financial and technical support for registry development, legal reform, and governance mechanisms   World Bank ESSN PMU Manages financing, fiduciary controls, and TA for ESSN program; coordinates with DAEM and SPCU     Legal & Policy Framework Instrument Status Key Provisions Implementation Note National Social Protection Strategy (NSPS, Cabinet Decision 69/2022) In force (since 2023) Establishes a national framework with 5 pillars, including lifecycle protection, social insurance, social assistance, employment links, and governance; sets roadmap 2023–2030; creates SPCU Guides actions across all line ministries; implementation coordinated by SPCU under PCM Universal Social Pension (proposed under NSPS) Policy proposal (under NSPS) Plans to introduce a universal, non-contributory social pension for persons aged 65+ to ensure minimum income security; benefit level to be indexed; design aligned with lifecycle protection pillar Requires legal drafting, Cabinet and parliamentary approval, and secured fiscal space; no draft decree yet prepared Disability Allowance Decree Pilot operational since 2023; scaling planned 2025 Provides flat cash transfer plus disability service card; aligned with CRPD obligations and designed for phased scale-up Scaling plan under technical preparation with UNICEF and ILO support Child Grant Regulation Pilot operational (2024) Designed to be poverty-neutral and integrated under NSPS targeting framework Evaluation scheduled December 2025 to assess performance and inform broader rollout NSSF Law Amendments (2024) Enacted Expands NSSF to allow voluntary enrollment for informal sector workers; strengthens contributory social insurance coverage Actuarial caps established; full implementation pending issuance of detailed board decrees and administrative measures Pension Law 319/2023 Adopted (Dec 2023); awaiting decrees Replaces end-of-service indemnity with contributory retirement scheme; mandatory for new workers & <49 y/o; phased transition model Executive decrees under drafting; fiscal impact study submitted to Council of Ministers May 2025 Health Coverage Law (Parliament Committee Draft) Under discussion in Health Committee; stalled Extends NSSF health coverage to retirees over 64; aims for universal retirement-age health protection Referred to Parliament plenary; no vote scheduled as of May 2025   Official Sources and Reference Materials   Instrument Source National Social Protection Strategy 2023 National Social Protection Strategy (NSPS) 2023 executive summary WB Poverty & Equity Assessment 2024 World Bank, “Lebanon Poverty and Equity Assessment 2024 – Weathering a Protracted Crisis” ILO “Extending Social Health Protection” 2024 ILO, “Extending Social Health Protection to Informal Economy Workers in Lebanon,” 2024 ESSN Stakeholder Engagement Plan 2023 World Bank / ESSN Project Management Unit, “ESSN Stakeholder Engagement Plan,” 2023 UN/ILO/UNICEF Position Paper 2020 UN, ILO, UNICEF, “Joint Position Paper on Social Protection Floors in Lebanon,” 2020 HelpAge / ILO Brief on Older Persons 2022 HelpAge International and ILO, “A Glimmer of Hope amidst the Pain,” 2022     List of Acronyms – Social Protection Reform Tracker   Acronym Full Term ARI Arab Reform Initiative CAS Central Administration of Statistics CoM Council of Ministers CRPD Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities DAEM Social Registry Platform ESSN Emergency Social Safety Net EU European Union GDP Gross Domestic Product ILO International Labour Organization IMF International Monetary Fund IMPACT Inter-Ministerial and Municipal Platform for Assessment, Coordination and Tracking MIS Management Information System MoF Ministry of Finance MoL Ministry of Labour MoSA Ministry of Social Affairs NASS National Strategy for the Advancement of Older Persons (assumed from context) NDA National Disability Allowance NPTP National Poverty Targeting Programme NSSF National Social Security Fund NSPS National Social Protection Strategy OPDs Organizations of Persons with Disabilities PCM Presidency of the Council of Ministers PMU Project Management Unit PwDs Persons with Disabilities SP Social Protection SPCU Social Protection Coordination Unit SPIS Social Protection Information System TA Technical Assistance TOR Terms of Reference UN United Nations UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund WB World Bank   [1] All reform data presented here is based on official Lebanese government sources, such as laws, decrees, strategies, and verified public data. Where possible, each update is linked to a document, gazette entry, or institutional publication. read more

Justice Reform Tracker[1] Reform Area: Judiciary Independence & Accountability Last Updated: August 2025 Citizen Impact Summary Dimension Snapshot Source Who Is Affected? Victims of the 2020 Beirut Port explosion, depositors impacted by the 2019 financial meltdown, and all Lebanese residents denied timely legal recourse due to a paralyzed judiciary. With the August 2025 passage of the Judicial Independence Law and signing of the judicial formations decree, judges gained operational independence, partially restoring citizens’ hope for accountability. Vulnerable litigants, particularly women, low-income families, and political dissidents, remain most affected by prior delays. HRW 2025; Amnesty 2025; World Bank Lebanon - Systematic country diagnostic, Summer 2024; An‑Nahar 31 July 2025 Financial Burden? High: delays in accountability prolong corruption and undermine fiscal justice. World Bank Lebanon - Systematic country diagnostic, Summer 2024 Public Services? The judiciary's historic lack of independence hindered the delivery of justice and eroded public trust, but passage of the Judicial Independence Law and activation of judicial formations are expected to improve service delivery and enable high-profile trials. World Bank Lebanon - Systematic country diagnostic, Summer 2024; L’Orient-Le Jour 1 Aug 2025 Mental Health Toll? Prolonged delays in justice, especially concerning the Beirut port explosion, have contributed to societal trauma and a sense of impunity. Recent reforms may begin to alleviate this public despair if investigations proceed without obstruction. HRW 2025; Amnesty 2025; L’Orient-Le Jour April 2025 Overview & Objectives Goal Establish a fully independent, impartial, and effective judiciary that guarantees access to justice and upholds the rule of law. Strategic Importance Judicial reform is central to rebuilding public trust, unlocking international financial support (e.g., IMF), and ending impunity for major crimes including the Beirut Port explosion and financial corruption. The EU, World Bank and UN have linked reconstruction aid to an “independent and transparent judiciary.” Key Reform Priorities ·        Implement newly enacted Judicial Independence Law (Aug 2025) ·        Activate judicial formations and newly appointed Court of Cassation and HJC members. ·        Protection of judicial investigations from political interference ·        Adoption of law on administrative courts ·        Digitalization and capacity development of courts ·        Unblock and finalize Beirut Port explosion investigation. Reform Actions & StatusSpecific Reform Actions & Accountability Reform Action Required Current Status Lead Authority Implementing Body Oversight / Supporting Actors Primary Source Enact law on judicial independence Adopted by Parliament on 31 July 2025 after seven years of obstruction; enacted as single-article law granting judges greater autonomy. Parliament, Justice & Administration Committee Justice & Admin Committee Justice Forum, Legal Forum for Justice, Venice Commission MTV August 2025; L’Orient-Le Jour 1 Aug 2025 Finalize general judicial appointments / formations PM Salam signed the full judicial formations decree on 1 Aug 2025 as prepared by the HJC; operationalizes judicial careers and case allocations. Council of Ministers HJC MoJ El Nashra 1 August 2025 Restore quorum at Court of Cassation April 2025 decree appointed the ten presidents of Cassation chambers, re-establishing quorum. Draft law introduces an automatic-enactment clause for future appointments to prevent deadlock. Court of Cassation Council of Ministers Justice Minister, President, Prime Minister NNA 2 May 2025; Al-Modon 4 May 2025 Finalize general judicial appointments Between April and mid-May 2025, the Cabinet appointed 7 members of the Higher Judicial Council (HJC), including prominent presidents of courts. Two additional members (Judges Rizkallah and Dakroub) were elected on 15 May by the Court of Cassation. The Council has now reached legal quorum and will begin partial judicial formations. The 10th and final member is pending appointment by decree. HJC President of the Republic, Council of Ministers, Court of Cassation Justice Minister NNA, 15 May 2025; An-Nahar, 15 May 2025 Adopt law on administrative courts Drafting by sub‑committee under Justice & Admin Committee Parliament Justice & Admin Committee Venice Commission, Legal Forum for Justice, Justice Forum Ministerial Statement, 25 Feb 2025 Operationalize fair investigation of Beirut Port explosion and political crimes Legal quorum restored; with new law and formations, procedural barriers lifted; political immunities remain the primary obstacle. Court of Cassation, General Assembly, Investigative Judges Ministry of Justice, Judicial Investigating Unit UN Human Rights Council, civil society Ministerial Statement, 25 Feb 2025; HRW 2025; Amnesty 2025; OJ C, C/2024/4000, 17.7.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2024/4000/oj Digitalize court case management Not started Ministry of Justice MoJ IT Dept. World Bank, UNDP World Bank Lebanon - Systematic country diagnostic, Summer 2024 Reform HJC appointment process Draft law with hybrid formula pending secondary amendments; interim relief achieved through August 2025 formations. Ministry of Justice Higher Judicial Council Parliament, Venice Commission, Lebanese Judges Assoc. Compilation of Venice Commission Opinions and Reports concerning Judges, 2025; Legal Agenda, 5–6 May 2025; Coalition for Judicial Independence Statement, 7 May 2025. Enforce anti-corruption measures within judiciary National Anti-Corruption Commission established; initial audits commenced. National Anti-Corruption Commission Judicial Inspection Authority UNDP, Transparency International UNDP 2025 Grant autonomy to Judicial Inspection Board Draft enhances independence and broadens nomination channels (HJC, Council of State, Court of Audit) but leaves procedural-appeal gaps. Ministry of Justice Judicial Inspection Board Higher Judicial Council OJ C, C/2024/4000, 17.7.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2024/4000/oj; Legal Agenda, 5–6 May 2025; Venice Commission, June 2022 opinion Launch courtroom operations in Roumieh prison First 20 hearings launched on 3 June 2025; 7 cases concluded. Minister Nassar hailed it as a step to reduce pre-trial delays and detention overcrowding. Ministry of Justice ISF, Judiciary Beirut Bar Association, civil society MoJ Press Statement Reform Roadmap Timeline & Critical PathRecent Milestone Date Description Critical Path Status Source 1 Aug 2025 PM Salam signed judicial formations decree, completing full HJC and Cassation appointments. Completed El Nashra 1 August 2025 31 July 2025 Parliament adopted Judicial Independence Law after seven-year delay; enacted as single-article law.   L’Orient-Le Jour 1 Aug 2025 June 17–18, 2025 Parliamentary committee session on judicial independence law ends in deadlock; conflict between Justice Minister and committee chair escalates Blocked Parliament Monitoring Observatory, 18 June 2025 June 3, 2025 First trial sessions held in Roumieh courtroom; 20 sessions, 7 verdicts rendered In progress MoJ Press Statement May 2, 2025 Cabinet approves final draft Law on Judicial Independence; Referral of Judicial Independence Law from Government to Parliament Pending; Parliament awaits formal submission from government. Completed Legal Agenda, 5–6 May 2025 May 7, 2025 Civil society calls for ratification and further amendments In progress Coalition for Judicial Independence Statement, 7 May 2025 May 15, 2025 Judges Rizkallah and Dakroub elected unopposed by the Court of Cassation to the Higher Judicial Council Completed NNA, 15 May 2025  Next Steps – Transparency and Accountability Calendar   Action Responsible Entity Target Date Source Publish implementing decrees and internal bylaws for Judicial Independence Law MoJ & HJC Q3 2025 An‑Nahar 31 July 2025 Expand in-prison court hearings to other facilities and publish quarterly stats MoJ & Judiciary N/A MoJ Press Statement Government to refer draft Judicial Independence Law to Parliament Council of Ministers Q2–Q3 2025 Ministerial Statement, 25 Feb 2025; Legal Agenda, 5–6 May 2025 Parliament to begin review of judicial independence law to be finalized and adopted Justice & Admin Committee; Parliament; Conditional on government submission Q2–Q3 2025 Legal Agenda, 5–6 May 2025 Incorporate Venice Commission feedback in final amendments Justice & Admin Committee; Parliament Q2–Q3 2025 Legal Agenda, 5–6 May 2025; Coalition for Judicial Independence Statement, 7 May 2025 Conduct general judicial reshuffle, including transfers and appointments without delay Council of Ministers & Higher Judicial Council Expected Q2 2025, post-quorum Ministerial Statement, 25 Feb 2025; NNA, 15 May 2025 Public hearings on judicial appointments and oversight roles Parliament + Civil Society 2025 Coalition for Judicial Independence Statement, 7 May 2025 Resume Beirut blast investigation Investigating Judges, HJC Immediate HRW 2025; Amnesty 2025; OJ C, C/2024/4000, 17.7.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2024/4000/oj Nominate final HJC member Minister of Justice (via President of Republic) Immediate NNA, 15 May 2025; An-Nahar, 15 May 2025 Remove executive barriers delaying Beirut blast investigations Government of Lebanon Immediate Ministerial Statement, 25 Feb 2025 Digitalize court processes and case access including publishing feasibility roadmap for digital case management Minister of Justice 2025–2026 Ministerial Statement, 25 Feb 2025  Implementation Bottlenecks & Required Actions Bottleneck Official Explanation Required Action Source Committee obstruction and institutional conflict Committee chair rejected government’s endorsed draft, blocked Justice Minister participation, and reverted to older 2023 version Reinstate government-endorsed draft on the agenda and resume participatory review process in line with Article 35 and 38 of internal regulations Legal Agenda, 12 June 2025; Parliament Monitoring Observatory, 18 June 2025 Partial adherence to Venice Commission recommendations Cabinet adopted only 1 out of 8 recommendations fully Parliament to incorporate Venice Commission advice during review phase Venice Commission (2022); Legal Agenda, 5–6 May 2025 Lack of HJC independence and politicized appointments Political interference in judiciary persistently blocks reform Enact HJC law reforming composition, insulation from politics HRW 2025; Amnesty 2025; World Bank Lebanon - Systematic country diagnostic, Summer 2024 Delays in judicial appointments and transfers Administrative backlog and political vetoes Expedite judicial formations via clear timelines Ministerial Statement, 25 Feb 2025 Obstruction of key investigations and stalled port blast investigation Legal and administrative barriers lifted (Cassation quorum restored); Abuse of immunities and refusal to appear before judiciary; political immunity, legal loopholes Lift immunities, permit international inquiry support; enable unimpeded access to judicial process for lead investigators Ministerial Statement, 25 Feb 2025; Kataeb.org, 3 May 2025 Draft judicial laws remain unratified Delayed legislative action Parliament to pass laws in line with Venice Commission advice Legal Agenda, 5–6 May 2025; Coalition for Judicial Independence Statement, 7 May 2025 Low digital capacity across courts Absence of a unified digital platform for case tracking; No digital infrastructure. Adopt phased rollout of court digitalization Ministerial Statement, 25 Feb 2025; World Bank Lebanon – SCD, Summer 2024   Stakeholders & Roles Entity Core Function Ministry of Justice Drafts judicial policy, countersigns decrees Higher Judicial Council Governs judicial careers & appointments Court of Cassation Final civil/criminal appeals; elects HJC members Parliament Justice & Admin Committee Prepares judiciary bills National Anti-Corruption Commission Investigates and prosecutes corruption within public institutions Justice Forum (منتدى العدالة) National participatory platform (launched Feb 2024) coordinating judicial reform roadmap; includes judiciary, executive, legislative branches, bar associations, civil society, and academia. Supported by UNDP and EU. Legal Forum for Justice (الملتقى القانوني للعدالة) Technical legal platform convened by MoJ and Venice Commission to align draft judicial laws with international standards. Focused on legislative reviews (e.g., Judicial Independence Law). Venice Commission Technical/legal advisory body (Council of Europe) Coalition for Judicial Independence CSO-led coalition advocating for legal, transparent, and merit-based reform of the judiciary. Issues alerts and position papers to track political interference.   Legal & Policy Framework Instrument Status Key Provisions Implementation Note Draft Law on Judicial Independence Approved by Cabinet (2 May 2025); pending referral to Parliament Introduces merit-based appointments, election of HJC members, limits on arbitrary transfers, and expanded judges' rights. Draft reviewed by Legal Forum (MoJ + Venice Commission). Civil society urges further amendments on financial autonomy, appointment neutrality, and disciplinary protections. Venice Commission Recommendations Issued Provides benchmarks for judicial independence, appointment procedures, structural autonomy, and disciplinary safeguards. Only one out of eight core recommendations fully implemented in the current draft. Full alignment pending. Law on Beirut Port Blast Investigation Not passed Would establish a special tribunal and legal protections for investigating judges. Investigations continue to face obstruction due to political immunities and legal loopholes. Cabinet Decree (8 May 2025) appointing 10 Cassation presidents Enforced Reinstates quorum at the Court of Cassation by appointing all 10 Presidents. Decree signed by President, Prime Minister, and Ministers of Justice and Finance; unlocks progress on pending high-level cases. 2024 Justice Forum Recommendations Endorsed Outlines a national reform roadmap including judicial independence, expanded judicial representation, procedural justice, and transparency. Not codified in law yet. Recommendations were developed through multi-stakeholder working groups, including civil society, judiciary, and donors. EU Parliament Resolution (2023) Political support Demands accountability in the Beirut Port case, structural independence of the judiciary, and international involvement. Continues to serve as diplomatic pressure for reform and anti-impunity efforts.   Official Sources and Reference Materials   Instrument Source Ministerial Statement (25 Feb 2025) Ministerial Statement, 25 Feb 2025 Amnesty Intl. Statement on Judicial Reform (Jan 2025) Amnesty 2025 Human Rights Watch Letter to PM Salam (Jan 2025) HRW 2025 Situation in Lebanon – European Parliament resolution of 12 July 2023 on the situation in Lebanon (2023/2742(RSP)) OJ C, C/2024/4000, 17.7.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2024/4000/oj Compilation of Venice Commission Opinions and Reports concerning Judges, 2025 Compilation of Venice Commission Opinions and Reports concerning Judges, 2025; World Bank Lebanon - Systematic Country Diagnostic, Summer 2024 World Bank Lebanon - Systematic country diagnostic, Summer 2024   List of Acronyms – Justice Reform Tracker Acronym Full Name HJC Higher Judicial Council MoJ Ministry of Justice HRW Human Rights Watch UNDP United Nations Development Programme EU European Union IMF International Monetary Fund UN United Nations CAS Central Administration of Statistics 3RF Reform, Recovery, and Reconstruction Framework OJ C Official Journal of the European Union, Series C ELI European Legislation Identifier Amnesty Amnesty International NGO Non-Governmental Organization   [1] All reform data presented here is based on official Lebanese government sources, such as laws, decrees, strategies, and verified public data. Where possible, each update is linked to a document, gazette entry, or institutional publication. read more