Grand Duchess Maria Teresa made a two-day humanitarian trip to Beirut, Lebanon on October 29th and October 30th. The Grand Duchess made this trip as part of the forum “Stand Speak Rise Up – To end sexual violence in sensitive areas” that the Grand Duchess in organising in Luxembourg for March 2019. On the first day of the trip, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa met with Lebanon’s President Michel Anoun, the President of the Parliament Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Saad Hariri.
© Cour grand-ducale / Sophie Margue / tous droits réservés
After those meetings, the Grand Duchess visited the Rafik Hariri University Hospital. She met patients that are part of the International Red Cross Committee programme for physical injuries, mental health, and psychosocial support. The Grand Duchess also attended the presentation by Unicef of the mobile application “Clinical management of rape for healthcare workers” to train medical staff to help survivors of sexual violence as best as they can.
© Cour grand-ducale / Sophie Margue / tous droits réservés
On the second day of the trip, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa went to Taanayel to visit the Arc en Ciel association’s sheltered workshop, their inclusive daycare and financial management courses given to women. During the financial management course, the Grand Duchess met with Kim Issa, the head of external relations of the association. The participants in the training benefited from the expertise of the Grand Duchess in microfinance and inclusive finance. Afterwards, she visited a refugee camp near Bar Elias. She met with beneficiaries of the training and a micro-financing by the Arc en Ciel association. During her visit, she helped distribute food kits to the camp.
© Cour grand-ducale / Sophie Margue / tous droits réservés
In the afternoon, she visited the Cedras home (safehouse) of Caritas in Reyfoun to learn about their work in protecting and assisting victims of sexual violence. Grand Duchess Maria Teresa had the opportunity to speak with survivors placed under high protection.
© Cour grand-ducale / Sophie Margue / tous droits réservés
During this visit, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa said: “We must take action and propose solutions to help survivors regain a place in society and become agents of change. This is my commitment, and it is the objective of the Luxembourg Conference”.
