Local communities around the world are trying to make the transition to low-carbon and resilient modes of development. But to do so, they need capacity building, and must approach development in radically different ways, incorporating climate issues in their planning and budgeting, for example. Here, the Climate Division of Agence Française de Développement (AFD) provides its analysis of the situation.

The massive explosions at Beirut’s port on August 4, which killed more than 200 people and injured thousands, are the latest in a series of tragic events to strike a country mired in crisis. AFD has responded to the catastrophe with additional assistance as part of France’s effort to coordinate international aid, both for the emergency and for the long term.

AFD’s Regional Director in Lebanon, Olivier Ray, discusses the emergency response and the broader effort to address the structural problems that underlie Lebanon’s continuing social and economic crisis.