Bireh, Akkar

For other uses, see Bira.

Bire Akkar (Arabic: (بيرة (عكار))) is a small town in Akkar Governorate, Lebanon, close to the border with Syria.

Bire Akkar (بيرة (عكار))
City
Village mosque, 2018
Bire Akkar
Coordinates: 34°35′17″N 36°14′13″E
Country	Lebanon
Governorate	Akkar
District	Akkar
Elevation	530 m (1,740 ft)
Time zone	UTC+2 (EET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+3 (EEST)
Dialing code	+961

The population in Bire Akkar is mainly Sunni Muslims.^[1]

History

In 1838, Eli Smith noted the village, whose inhabitants were Sunni Muslim, located east of esh-Sheikh Mohammed.^[2]

Health

Bireh Akkar has a Polish Health Service close to the main road,^[3] which received support of the Kulczyk Foundation.^[4]

The health center receives funding from the Polish Aid, the donor arm of Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, PCPM (Polish Center For International Aid). The funding has helped to secured shelter for over 35,000 Syrian refugee families fleeing from the civil war in their country, through conditional cash assistance to cover part of the rental fees for apartments or garages.

In addition to shelter, PCPM aims at providing Syrian refugees with comprehensive assistance that includes access to health care and education, as well as lifesaving assistance during the winter season. A primary health care center in Bireh, located 4km from Syrian border, coupled with a mobile clinic, caters for over 10,000 patients annually. During the winter season of 2017-18, PCPM is one of four aid agencies in Lebanon that provides Syrian refugees with cash assistance for purchase of heating oil, stoves and blankets.^[5]

Sports

The most recognizable sports in Bire Akkar are football and basketball. ^{[citation needed]}