Moawad highlights need to support Lebanese living in difficult circumstances

The Rene Moawad Foundation organized its 21st annual charity dinner at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Washington. The dinner was attended by the honorary president of the foundation, former Social Affairs Minister Nayla Moawad along with more than 400 invitees including Arab diplomats, US officials and NGO representatives.

Former Jordanian Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher and his wife Lyne presided over the ceremony that was presented by TV star Barbara Harisson.

For her part, Moawad briefed the audience on the latest projects undertaken by the foundation namely the Baladi project which is being funded by USAID and implemented across Lebanon to help develop the work of municipalities.

Moawad added that the foundation has been providing support to Syrian refugees by offering mainly health care services.

During the ceremony, participants paid tribute to late Minister Mohammad Chatah who was awarded the public service award for his exceptional achievements. Lebanon’s Ambassador to the US Antoine Chedid presented the award to Chatah’s wife Nina and son Omar, describing the late minister as a man of state and staunch defender of Lebanon’s sovereignty and independence.

Echoing Chedid, former Palestinian Prime Minister Selim Fayyad, who was a close friend of Chatah praised the late minister’s qualities.

Joseph Aoun, a Lebanese American who is the current president of the Northeastern University was also presented with an award for his big achievements in the educational sector.

In a separate dinner organized in Miami, the Rene Moawad Foundation raised funds to support educational and health care programs in Lebanon.

The dinner, which was presided over by Rima Otrakji, a member of the Rene Moawad Foundation, was attended by more than 300 Lebanese expats.