Poland's ambassador to Lebanon, Aleksandra Bukowska McCabe, said her country's reputation in Lebanon rests largely on responding to basic, often-overlooked needs in a nation repeatedly destabilized by conflict.
One such gap: firefighters lacking proper gear. The Polish Embassy stepped in to supply boots and uniforms after learning local crews had none.
"Our embassy purchased what might seem like mundane items — boots. It turned out firefighters here didn't have boots for putting out fires. We bought several dozen pairs, along with uniforms", Bukowska McCabe said.
The embassy's support for emergency services extends further: in a Beirut neighborhood, the Polish Center for International Aid is helping construct a fire station expected to serve roughly a million residents. Similar Polish-backed projects are underway throughout the country.
Poland's aid work in Lebanon also spans civil defense, education and environmental protection, according to the ambassador.
Among the environmental efforts is a campaign to protect migrating storks, which face threats from hobby hunters as they pass through Lebanon.
"We help protect our stork. Unfortunately, storks have a hard time here during migration because of hobby hunting", Bukowska McCabe said.
The embassy, together with local partners, runs a public awareness campaign on bird protection and backs Lebanon's only rehabilitation center for birds injured by gunfire, located near Tripoli. The center currently cares for about 150 birds, roughly half of them storks.
(jh)
Source: Polish Radio