(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — The United States Agency for International Development donated $3.5 million to a Beirut school and two universities, the U.S. Embassy said in a statement Friday.
The Lebanese American University Medical Center – Rizk Hospital will receive $1.3 million, the American University of Beirut (AUB) will receive $1.7 million, and the American Community School (ACS) will receive $500,000, according to the statement.
The announcement was made during a visit to Lebanon by Katherine Crawford, director of the aid agency’s American Schools and Hospitals Abroad program. This was the first visit of a senior “American Schools and Hospitals Abroad” (ASHA) official to Lebanon in 50 years.
“These initiatives enable Lebanon to remain at the forefront of scientific progress and continue its tradition of excellence in education,” she said in a statement.
The grant to LAU’s hospital will include “lifesaving supplies,” and go towards enhancing the trauma care facility and training medical staff, the statement added.
At AUB, $1.7 million in ASHA funding will help launch new advanced programs of study in applied science and rehabilitate a medical laboratory at the Medical Center.
At the American Community School, the half million dollar donation will purchase equipment and materials for new high school science labs.
ASHA has provided $297 million dollars to its Lebanese partners over the last 40 years.