A delegation of peacekeepers from the 37 Nations that contribute to the mission took part in the ceremony that was held in the presence of representatives of the Lebanese armed forces, local authorities and the international community.
After the deposition of two crowns to pay tribute to the fallen of the mission from the 1978 to today, UNIFIL has formalized the social assistance project "music for friendship" with the donation of educational materials (laptops, projectors, photocopiers, computer systems and amplification systems of the sound) in favor of the Social development Center of Meiss El Jabal, the orphanage of Borj el Moluk and the school of Frun Al Hanan for children with learning difficulties.
The donation was financed by 8 contingents of the UNIFIL mission (Austria, France, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Korea and Spain) and by the Italian Cooperation and will allow the improvement of educational standards and training of social assistance centers located in the areas remote of the eastern sector of the operation area.
On the occasion of the important anniversary, the UNIFIL CIMIC Unit, together with Civil Affairs, organized a musical kermesse with a sponsored opening concert of the Italian Embassy in Lebanon and funded by the Italian Cultural Institute. The concert was held at the Italair Task Force facilities which provided the 41º Task Group flight line hangar. The AB-212 helicopters were the setting for the musical event in which two Italian groups, "Vibrazioni Mediterranee" and "Dangerous Crew", and the students of the Mosan Center of Tiro performed, contributing to make the atmosphere of the event.
The UNIFIL commander, divisional general Paolo Serra, supported the aims of the project, highlighting the social utility of solidarity initiatives carried out in support of Lebanese institutional bodies. Therefore, the intent remains to consolidate a synergistic partnership.
Source: UNIFIL MPIO - May. Antonio Bernardo / ITALAIR PIO - ten. Andrea Monaco
Photo: mar. Pantaloon Froio / cmc Fabio Baccello
