Title: Sustainable livelihood approach towards enhanced management of rural resources

Authors: May A. Massoud; Sarah Issa; Mutasem El-Fadel; Ibrahim Jamali

Addresses: Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box 11-0236 Riad el Solh 1107 2020 Beirut, Lebanon ' Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, American University of Beirut, Lebanon ' Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, American University of Beirut, Lebanon ' Department of Finance, Accounting and Managerial Economics, Olayan School of Business, American University of Beirut, Lebanon

Abstract: This research utilises the sustainable livelihood approach to evaluate the livelihood assets and resources and identify key challenges and development opportunities in a village in Southern Lebanon. Primary data using quantitative (structured questionnaire) and qualitative (semi-structured interview) methods were collected. The findings highlight the weak resource management and monitoring of various aspects. The factors influencing the village's livelihoods include constraints in water quantity and water quality monitoring, communication and micro-macro links, as well as the allocation of financial resources. The utilisation of the sustainable livelihood approach resulted in developing a practical action plan and a set of management strategies for the enhancement of the village's livelihood based on detailed local knowledge and community input. The significance of this research lies in defining and prioritising factors influencing rural livelihoods and typical relationships among them in real life situations. It focuses on quantitative and qualitative variables and provides evidence-based interventions.

Keywords: rural resources; resource management; sustainable livelihoods; Lebanon; villages; rural communities; resource allocation; water quality monitoring; communication; micro-macro links; financial resources; management strategies; local knowledge; community input.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSOC.2016.074947

International Journal of Sustainable Society, 2016 Vol.8 No.1, pp.54 - 72

Received: 17 Jan 2015
Accepted: 01 Aug 2015
Published online: 25 Feb 2016 *

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