Corruption is rampant within Lebanon’s centralized government, Michel Moawad, President of the Rene Moawad Foundation said Friday, highlighting the Cabinet’s failure to address a three-month old trash crisis.

“The waste crisis was never part of Lebanon’s fate, but a result of years of neglect and corruption,” Moawad said at the inauguration ceremony of a medical laboratory in Deir Ammar, Dinniyeh.

The medical lab project is part of the Building Alliance for Local Advancement, Development, and Investment (BALADI) program, and was funded by the United Stated Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by the René Moawad Foundation in collaboration Deir Ammar municipality.

The ceremony was attended by MPs Qassem Abdel Aziz and Kazem Al Khair and Miniyeh-Dinniyeh Governor Roula Al Bayeh along with USAID representatives, local municipal officials and civil society groups.

“In light of the Cabinet paralysis, we at the Rene Moawad Foundation have decided to take action across Lebanese territories without exception because our mission transcends sectarian and political boundaries. We are committed to fighting corruption and implementing development projects in a transparent manner,” Moawad told participants.

Moawad said Deir Ammar has been neglected and abandoned by central authorities, and its residents are paying the price of this negligence today.

Deir Ammar is one of the poorest areas in Lebanon, according to UN data, Moawad said, adding that the Syrian refugee crisis has further exacerbated the town’s situation.

“Instead of multiplying their efforts towards the rehabilitation of the Deir Ammar area… central authorities are too preoccupied with their power conflicts,” said Moawad.

Moawad argued that the medial laboratory project represents a successful model of cooperation between donor organizations, local authorities and civil society groups.

“The project we are launching today not only enhances Deir Ammar’s medical apparatus, but sets an example to the way the trash crisis should be dealt with,” said Moawad.

US Ambassador to Lebanon David Hale voiced support for the project in a recorded message and stressed his countrys commitment to support sustainable development in Lebanon.

Hale highlighted the successful cooperation model between the US government,  municipalities, and civil society groups in supporting the development of local communities,

USAID  donated 120 000$ to the Deir Ammar lab and provided training for the laboratory’s staff.

The BALADI Program extends for five years  and has so far provided support for 58 towns across Lebanon. In 2015, the program will provide support for an additional 40 municipal-led projects.