Jo Gideon MP, Member of Parliament for Stoke-On-Trent Central, visits Lebanon to see the impact of UK aid and expertise first hand.
As part of a delegation of cross-party Members of Parliament, Jo Gideon MP recently visited Lebanon to see the impact that UK funded aid projects can have around the world. MPs were taken to the Blue Line in Lebanon, on the Southern Border, to see the work of the Mines Advisory Group and how their demining efforts allowed farm land to be reclaimed by local people and used to help increase food security in their area.
The delegation met with local farmers as well as locally employed deminers to speak about the impact that this work has on their daily lives.
The MPs also met with local businesses who were impacted by the Beirut explosion of 2020 to see how UK based organisations are helping individuals to rebuild their businesses - creating employment opportunities in the region as well as teaching skills to help business operation digitally.
On return from Lebanon, Jo Gideon MP said:
“It was incredibly moving to see how the UK is perceived overseas and the impact that our expertise and funding can have on the ground. The situation in Ukraine has brought the work of the UK in supporting those who need it most into the spotlight.
As the UK shapes its new role on the world stage, I am glad that Global Britain remains an outward looking and supportive partner for some of the most vulnerable people.”
