Hugo Shorter & Martin Huth & Lene Natasha Lindl

It’s that time of year when world leaders meet for the United Nations General Assembly’s annual session, or UNGA. And as in previous years, there will be prominent discussions about what more the international community can do to support Lebanon. Since the Syria crisis began, Lebanon has faced social, economic and security challenges. This week’s events show that the international community – at the highest level – recognizes those challenges and values the efforts made by Lebanon to cope with the influx of refugees. Many readers may be asking: What’s in it for Lebanon? The international community’s message is that Lebanon is not alone. At the London Conference in February, the international community pledged more than has ever been pledged before at a single event: $12 billion to support Syria and the region over five years. And already $1.22 billion has been committed by the international community in Lebanon for 2016, to support Lebanon as well as its temporary Syrian guests.

UNGA will build on this. For the first time, heads of state and government will meet to agree on a more constructive international response to handle large movements of refugees and migrants, such as those affecting Lebanon and the region.

Secondly, a London Conference follow-up event will look at the next steps for donor support. In the case of Lebanon, the focus will be supporting the government and Education Ministry’s RACE initiative to ensure that that there is “No Lost Generation” and that refugee children and needy Lebanese have access to quality education.

Again, just as in London, the international community wants to make clear: We are creating a longer-term partnership with Lebanon which goes beyond provision of humanitarian assistance and moves toward development projects that will benefit the country and its economy for years to come. Planning for the future is key: by equipping Syrians with the skills for their safe and voluntary return, so that they can contribute to the reconstruction of their home country; but also by positioning Lebanon as a hub to benefit from that reconstruction.

In fact, international support is already making a difference up and down the country. Over 1 million inhabitants have benefited so far since 2013 from the Lebanon Host Communities Support Project, a partnership between the UNDP and the Social Affairs Ministry which allows municipalities to set their own priorities. In Tripoli 173,000 people are benefiting from improved security, social services and public spaces, including renovation of a garden used by 1,000 people. In Sidon, 23,000 people can enjoy the revived corniche lit by solar power. In Aitanit in the Bekaa, a rehabilitated wastewater treatment plant is bringing cleaner water to over 15,000 residents.

These are just a few examples from the 229 municipalities which have received assistance. And that’s not to mention the 70,000 poor Lebanese households who have received winter cash through the National Poverty Targeting Program as well as 28,000 Lebanese receiving monthly food assistance.

Meanwhile, the Education Ministry has just launched its enrollment campaign, which will see all children go to public schools for free for the second year in a row – schools which will be teaching using improved curricula and materials, in renovated buildings.

The final objective of the London Conference was to improve the economy, by supporting small- and medium-sized businesses, creating jobs and improving infrastructure. The government has agreed projects which will kick-start the economy and position Lebanon for the future, including better, faster roads linking Lebanon’s major cities and an upgraded port for Tripoli. They are now waiting to be finalized with cheap loans from the World Bank, which Lebanon has been made exceptionally eligible for.

Further progress depends on functioning state institutions. Large projects require cabinet approval. New loans require parliamentary assent. New policy approaches require visionary ministers who can lead the way to better results for everyone.

Meanwhile we need to make sure that the regulatory framework is in place to ensure refugees can access the support on offer, be it education for their children or health care. At present, 50-70 percent of refugees cannot meet their basic needs and are struggling to feed their families. As the No Lost Generation initiative recognizes, Lebanon cannot afford to leave the refugees within its borders desperate – the best chance of a harmonious society, and brightest future for both Syrians and Lebanese, lies in giving refugees hope.

So there is still more to be done, both by the government and by donors. The co-hosts of the London Conference are spending $550 million this year on humanitarian and development assistance in Lebanon. But there are some who have not yet declared how much they intend to spend. They should do so, to allow government and NGOs to plan.

Lebanon is facing many challenges. But it also has many friends. And today we, as donors, renew our commitment to continue supporting Lebanon. To face up to the crisis – and deliver for its people.