Date: 14 October 2020
Location: Beirut

UNDP Regional Goodwill Ambassador for Climate Action Michael Haddad will complete the first walk in his Stepping Ahead of COVID walks series, which he is planning in several countries in the Arab region and beyond. The series aims to raise awareness and mobilize resources to help mitigate the adverse social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the most vulnerable and advocate for an inclusive and green post-pandemic recovery.

The Beirut Walk for Inclusion comes to mark the launch of a new initiative jointly led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) to support persons with disabilities and reduce their exposure to increasing vulnerabilities due to Lebanon’s manifold crises—a dwindling economy and a persistent outbreak of COVID-19, exacerbated by the recent huge explosion that rocked the Port of Beirut and the whole country.

Haddad will start his 4 Kilometres walk –8000 steps– from the UN House (ESCWA headquarters) in downtown Beirut, where the initiative will be launched. He will tread through areas in Downtown, Gemayze and Mar Mikhayel that were damaged because of the port explosion. He will end his walk at the Karantina Public Hospital. currently under reconstruction after sustaining significant damages, this leading medical facility used to provide essential health care to the most vulnerable groups in Beirut, including refugees, migrant workers and persons with disabilities.

The walk will also kick-off an effort to mobilize resources for the joint UNDP-UN ESCWA initiative through an online giving platform that will be launched on 14 October 2020.

to support people with disabilities in Lebanon

Call for Action in Support of Persons with Disabilities Affected by the Beirut Port Explosion

Learn more about Michael Haddad