Lebanon Reform, Recovery & Reconstruction Framework (3RF)

04.12.2020

 

The Lebanon Reform, Recovery and Reconstruction Framework (3RF) is part of a comprehensive response to the massive explosion on the Port of Beirut on August 4, 2020. It is a people-centered recovery and reconstruction framework focusing on a period of 18 months that will bridge the immediate humanitarian response and the medium-term recovery and reconstruction efforts to put Lebanon on a path of sustainable development.

The 3RF aims to help Lebanon achieve three central goals in response to the Beirut port explosion. First, a people-centered recovery that returns sustainable livelihoods to the affected population; improves social justice for all, including women, the poor, and other vulnerable groups; and ensures participatory decision making. Second, the reconstruction of critical assets, services, and infrastructure that provides equal access for all to quality basic services and enables sustainable economic recovery. Third, the implementation of reform to support reconstruction and to help restore people’s trust in governmental institutions by improving governance.

To promote a different way of working, the 3RF is designed as a collaborative process that is based on the participation of the government, civil society, the private sector as well as development partners. It is also guided by the overarching principles of transparency, accountability, and inclusion.

The 3RF pursues two tracks in parallel:

  • A people-centered recovery track (Track 1), focusing on essential actions, such as policy measures, investments, and institutional strengthening, to address urgent needs of the most vulnerable populations and small businesses affected by the explosion. This people-centered support will largely rely on receiving adequate international grant financing, and on clear progress on immediate policy action to facilitate recovery, such as the adoption of appropriate actions plans and institutional measures.
  • A reform and reconstruction track (Track 2), focusing on critical reforms to address governance and recovery challenges in Lebanon as well as investments that focus on the reconstruction of critical assets, services, and infrastructure. Progress on governance and socioeconomic reforms are prerequisites for mobilizing international support for reconstruction beyond the recovery track, and for unlocking new sources of public and private finance.

The 3RF is structured around four strategic pillars: 

(1) improving governance and accountability; 

(2) jobs and opportunities; 

(3) social protection, inclusion, and culture; 

(4) improving services and infrastructure. 

Each pillar identifies a set of strategic objectives and priority areas across both the recovery track and the reform and reconstruction track.

The 3RF envisages a two-phase financing strategy for recovery and reconstruction, building on ongoing humanitarian assistance and the in-kind support mobilized by the Lebanese people. In the short-term, international grant financing will be required to kick-start recovery and support urgent needs while advancing in parallel on necessary reforms. Once progress has been made on critical reforms and macroeconomic stabilization, concessional loans and private finance can support reconstruction and help set Lebanon on a path towards stability, growth, and sustainable development.

To support the recovery track and prepare for reconstruction, a Financing Facility will be set up to pool and align grant financing for the 3RF, under the strategic guidance of the 3RF governance arrangements. This will strengthen coherence and coordination. The fund will channel support directly to Lebanese people and businesses that have been impacted by the explosion using a variety of flexible, nongovernmental implementation modalities combined with strong fiduciary monitoring and oversight.