BEIRUT, March 3 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) on Thursday inaugurated restored facilities and neighborhoods that were damaged in the 2020 Beirut explosions, the National News Agency reported.
The National HIV and Tuberculosis Center in Karatina, as well as a public park and sidewalks in the northeastern neighborhood, were restored with the support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and the Foundation of France.
The restoration works aimed to expand public spaces while making existing spaces more inclusive and accessible, said Taina Christiansen, head of UN-Habitat in Lebanon, during the inauguration ceremony.
Beirut Governor Marwan Abboud said the port city used to be known for its public spaces, but they were diminishing due to the rapid unplanned urbanization.
"We must all work to create new public spaces and revive existing ones, as they are the beating heart of the city and provide people with a space to relax and interact with their neighbors," Abboud said.
Two big explosions rocked the Port of Beirut on Aug. 4, 2020, shaking buildings all over the Lebanese capital, killing at least 171 people and wounding 6,000 others.
The explosions served another blow to Lebanon, especially when it was already hit by the worst economic crisis in history. ■
