2007 Lebanon Emergency

UNRWA Beirut

Eleven days have past since the fighting started in and around Nahr EL Bared camp and the difficulties of thousands of Palestine Refugees continue. Around 6000 families have so far fled Nahr EL Bared, most of them took refuge in Beddawi.

The over-crowdedness of Beddawi camp where the original population has more than doubled, is putting pressure on the refugees, on UNRWA and on the facilities of the camp. From a psychological point of view, the refugees and the displaced families are suffering from stress, anxiety and depression. Children are traumatized and exhibiting behavioural problems as the future is unclear to all. Over 2,500 of the displaced persons are living in UNRWA schools in and around Beddawi, which do not have adequate washing and toilet facilities; private facilities in host households are also coming under strain. The campÆs infrastructure is stretched beyond capacity, however, the electricity, water and sanitation networks are so far coping with the excess demand as UNRWA strengthened those networks and is pumping more water and has distributed water tanks in the camp.

UNRWA in collaboration with officials in Tripoli is now preparing temporary alternative accommodation for some displaced families near Beddawi and in other locations in Tripoli to relieve the congestion of the camp pending the return of the displaced to Nahr El Bared.

In addition to UNRWA’s normal operations in Lebanon, it has established an emergency centre in Tripoli and brought in support staff from its headquarters. The Agency has also expanded its health services in Beddawi camp, through extension of the opening hours of its regular health centre and the deployment of a mobile health team to the camp and surrounding areas. Additional staff and medical supplies have been deployed to the area. Meanwhile, the Agency has also signed contracts with a private pharmacy and an additional hospital, to ensure continued access for refugee patients to secondary and tertiary care and specialist medicines.

On psycho-social support and recreational activities, UNRWA is coordinating with non governmental organizations on activities for children and adults.

In terms of relief assistance, UNRWA has distributed so far to displaced families in Beddawi camp and other areas in Lebanon (Tyre, Saida, Beirut and BeqaÆa): 10109 mattresses, 9521 covers, 9383 pillows 2840 hygiene kits, 3894 food parcels (each containing food supplies for 5 persons for 30 days) and bottled drinking water.

UNRWA is working in close cooperation with other UN Agencies, the ICRC, the Lebanese Red Cross, the Higher Relief Council (HRC), local and international NGOs and other parties to assess and provide for the needs of the people of Nahr El Bared Camp, both inside and outside the camp.

UNRWA seizes this opportunity to express its thanks to all these organizations for their great support.

Hoda Samra Souaiby
Public Information Officer

Fighting escalates between Lebanese Army and Fateh Al-Islam

Heavy clashes erupted on 29 May between the Lebanese Army and Fatah al-Islam militants after several members of the militia attacked army posts. The two sides exchanged fire for hours with the army shelling with heavy artillery in response to sniper shots and assault rifle-fire. A soldier was killed during an attack by Fatah al-Islam on an army post on 28 May, bringing to 34 the number of soldiers killed in the fighting so far.

Leaders across Lebanon continued to call for a diplomatic solution to the standoff, but efforts by Palestinian authorities and others to broker a negotiated deal have yet to bear fruit. A man suspected of ties to Fatah al-Islam was arrested at a Beirut hotel on 29 May by authorities acting on information obtained in an interrogation of a detainee from Nahr al-Bared.

Lebanese await International Tribunal

Most of the Lebanese waited 30 May for a UN Security Council Resolution creating the long-awaited International Tribunal to try suspects in the 2005 assassination of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri and related crimes.

SITUATION BY AREA:

Situation in the North Lebanon: Situation is now quiet but cautious following heavy clashes and shelling last night in the Camp. Upon a call from Palestinian factions and Popular Committees to protest against Nahr el-Bared conflict, a number of Palestine Refugees staged a sit-in in “Palestine playground” which is located to the south east of Beddawi camp. They chanted slogans, burned cardboard boxes of aid supplies and carried Palestinian flags. They attempted to march back to Nahr el-Bared camp but were stopped by the Lebanese Army. The protesters dispersed after an hour.

Humanitarian situation inside Nahr el-Bared continues to aggravate (shortage of food, potable water and electricity and possible problems due to lack of access to health care). Only the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) ambulances and the ICRC are permitted to enter Nahr el-Bared despite the unstable security situation.

In Beddawi Camp, all UNRWA installations (other than schools) are operating normally. Families in the camp are hosting internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Nahr el-Bared.

So far, a total of 5945 families of displaced from Nahr el-Bared Camp were located out of whom 5142 families in north Lebanon area (inside and outside Beddawi).

Assistance provided by UNRWA in Beddawi Camp continued today. 186 families received mattresses, pillows, covers, food parcels, hygiene kits and bottled water.

Situation in central Lebanon: All UNRWA installations operating normally. There are now 314 displaced families from Nahr el Bared Camp in Central Lebanon Area (Beirut).

Situation in Beqaa: All UNRWA operations in Beqaa area are functioning normally. A total of 85 displaced families have arrived in the Beqaa area.

Situation in Tyre: All installations operating normally. A total of 172 displaced families from Nahr el-Bared Camp arrived to Tyre area.

Situation in Saida: UNRWA services are operating normally. A total of 232 families displaced from Nahr el-Bared camp arrived in Saida.

UNRWA assistance to the IDPs in the areas outside North Lebanon includes: Mattresses, pillows, covers hygiene kits and food parcels (containing food supplies for 5 persons for a period of 30 days).

As the days pass without a resolution to the conflict in northern Lebanon, Beddawi camp is continuing to struggle with its new inhabitants.

Sitting in hallways, even sprawled on the floor through UNRWA’s schools, parents attempt to distract their children from the obvious despair they are feeling. Many refugees say this displacement is reminiscent of the first one all those years ago.

With nowhere to sleep, the humanitarian situation is of the most difficult order.

As the health situation continues to deteriorate, it brings with it a new crisis: how to clothe, house and feed the more than 20,000 displaced from Nahr el-Bared.

Children, hungry, bored and traumatized roam the streets and hallways of the schools. NGOs continue to arrange activities for them, but it is difficult because of the lack of space. BeddawiÆs population has doubled and the campsÆ infrastructure is stretched beyond capacity.

UNRWA teachers from Beddawi and Nahr El Bared camps have put together an awareness campaign to reiterate the need for hygiene, in the hope of staving off disease and infection. There have already been many reported cases of lice and scabies.

The extent of the trauma of those suffered by those fleeing from Nahr El Bared Camp is still not fully highlighted. However, stories are now emerging from those who left the beleaguered camp.

Lying on his back, in BeddawiÆs Safad Hospital, 12 year-old Yusef Radi Aburadi talks about how he saw his mother, who was four months pregnant, was shot in the head by a sniper whilst he and his family fled Nahr El Bared on Tuesday. As he leaned over his motherÆs body slumped in his lap, he was then shot in the abdomen and lucky to have survived. A sniper also injured YusefÆs father.

To help prevent the spread of disease, barbers have set themselves up in the playground of one of UNRWA’s schools to cut the hair of the children in the camp.

Most Houses in Beddawi Camp are accommodating displaced from Nahr El Bared

	More than 4000 families from Nahr El Bared stay with relatives or friends inside the Beddawi Camp. Many of these people arrived with nothing.
	UNRWA distribution centers in Beddawi Camp. The conditions are cramped and there is now heavy pressure on the water and sanitation services as well as electricity supply, despite the additional support services brought in by UNRWA and UNICEF.

Clerics mediate as army tightens grip on Nahr El Bared

The Lebanese Army strengthened its positions on 28 May around the Nahr El Bared refugee camp. While calm prevailed on 28 May morning, clashes resumed toward the evening, with intermittent to heavy fire from inside the camp. The army responded with mortar rounds. An army soldier was wounded when militants fired at a position on the Mhamara heights overlooking the camp. The army responded by shelling the northern end of the camp near Abdeh.

Prime Minister Fouad Siniora said that Nahr El Bared crisis requires a “peaceful” solution that guarantees the eradication of the Fatah al-Islam militant group, or else the government will take the necessary measures. He added that the Lebanese Army “fully backed by the entire population, remains the sole entity with the right to exercise the use of force legitimately, as a last resort, in defending its citizens’ security.”

Two men killed at airport checkpoint

Lebanese troops opened fire at a speeding taxi which drove past their checkpoint near Beirut Airport, killing the Syrian driver and a Lebanese passenger. Security Sources said that Hamadeh Mahmoud Haj Ahmad, a Syrian national, was driving the vehicle at high speed, and refused to slow down upon instructions from soldiers manning a checkpoint near the airport. The soldiers opened fire on the car that crashed against a separation wall in the middle of the street. An investigation has been launched to determine if they died of gunshot wounds or because of the crash. However, preliminary reports said that the Syrian national was wanted by the Police for forgery crimes.

No casualties as grenade rocks Zahle

An explosion shook the Bekaa Valley town of Zahle on 28 May evening, the fifth such attack in Lebanon since May 20. Security sources said no one was hurt and no property damaged in the blast, which was caused by a concussion grenade thrown into a garden adjacent to the town municipality. The municipal building is also home to a jail operated by the Internal Security Forces.

UN Team to Assess Security of Lebanon-Syria Borders

A UN team arrived in Lebanon on 28 May to assess security of the Lebanese-Syrian borders and verify reports of alleged arms smuggling from Syria in violation of UN Security council resolutions 1559 and 1701.

SITUATION BY AREA:

Situation in the North Lebanon: Situation is now quiet but cautious following heavy clashes and shelling last night in the Nahr El Bared camp. The humanitarian situation is aggravating (shortage of food, potable water and electricity and possible problems due to lack of access to health care).

So far, a total of 5466 families are displaced from Nahr El Bared camp have been located, out of whom 4665 families remain in North Lebanon Area (both inside and outside of Beddawi camp).

In Beddawi Camp, all UNRWA installations (other than schools) are operating normally. Families in the camp are hosting IDPs from Nahr El Bared. Assistance provided by UNRWA in Beddawi camp so far was 6113 mattresses, 5502 covers, 5464 pillows, 1903 hygiene kits, 2361 food parcels about 4000 bundles of bread 848 water bottles (5 litre each) and soap.

Situation in Central Lebanon: All UNRWA installations operating normally. About 242 food parcels were distributed to IDPs in CLA so far. There are now:

Situation in the Beqaa Valley: All UNRWA operations in Beqaa area are functioning normally. Distributions of aids from UNRWA to displaced families started at Beqaa Area. A total of 72 displaced families have arrived in the Beqaa area.

Situation in Tyre Area (South): All installations operating normally. A total of 179 displaced families from Nahr El Bared Camp arrived to Tyre area. IDP families have started to receive assistance from UNRWA.

Situation in the Saida Area: UNRWA services are operating normally. In total 219 families displaced from Nahr El Bared camp arrived in Saida. 125 IDP families have already received assistance from UNRWA.

UNRWA assistance to the IDPs in the areas outside North Lebanon includes: Mattresses, pillows, covers hygiene kits and food parcels (containing food supplies for 5 persons for a period of 30 days).

Thousands Still Trapped in Nahr El Bared

Sporadic clashes continued last night in Nahr El Bared camp as Fatah al-Islam militants fired off bursts of automatic gunfire which was met with anti-tank fire from Lebanese troops, according to the press reports. The majority of families (an estimated 21,000 persons) from the besieged northern Palestinian refugee camp of Nahr el-Bared have fled mostly to Beddawi camp in Tripoli. However, thousands remain trapped inside under extremely difficult humanitarian conditions. There have been unconfirmed media reports saying that the militants are using those left inside Nahr el-Bared as human shields.

According to UNRWA figures 5,325 refugee families have left the camp since fighting began one week ago. There are 31,478 registered refugees in Nahr El Bared camp but the Agency estimates the numbers of those actually living in the camp at around 27000.

The Lebanese Government has vowed to finish off this “terrorist movement”, but continues to stress its quarrel is not with the general Palestinian community. The army has stationed more troops around the camp, which is already ringed by hundreds of soldiers, backed by artillery and tanks.

Palestinian factions, meanwhile, have been scrambling to find a negotiated solution to end the siege and avert what many fear would be a bloody battle between the Lebanese army and Fatah al-Islam.

SITUATION BY AREA:

Situation in the north: Nahr El Bared is now quiet but cautious following heavy clashes and shelling last night in the Camp. Camp inhabitants suffer from shortage of food, potable water and electricity and possible problems due to lack of access to health care

In Beddawi Camp, all UNRWA installations (other than schools) are operating normally. Families in the camp are hosting IDPs from Nahr el-Bared. It was reported that one family was hosting 11 others. The conditions are cramped and there is now heavy pressure on the water and sanitation services as well as electricity supply, despite the additional support services brought in by UNRWA and UNICEF.

Situation in CLA: All UNRWA installations operating normally. Teachers living in North Lebanon are not reporting to duty due to the current security situation.

Situation in Beqaa: All UNRWA operations in Beqaa area are functioning normally. Distributions of aids from UNRWA to displaced families started at Beqaa Area.

Situation in Tyre: All installations operating normally. Distribution of aids from UNRWA to displaced families started at Tyre Area and Camps.

Situation in Saida: UNRWA services are operating normally. Students reported to schools today as usual. In total 120 families displaced from Nahr el-Bared camp arrived in Saida.

Displaced families wait anxiously outside the UNRWA distribution centre at Beddawi camp for urgent food and non-food supplies.

With an influx of an estimated 20,000 displaced people from Nahr El Bared, Beddawi camp’s population has swelled to more then double its original size. Families in Beddawi camp are hosting those from Nahr El Bared, and it was discovered that one family was hosting 11 others. The conditions are cramped and there is now a serious deterioration in general hygiene in the camp.

Goods being passed to families

Children are unable to attend schools, as UNRWA is housing the displaced in our schools in Beddawi camp. With no where to go, children are sitting out on the roads and roaming throughout Beddawi camp. Those from Nahr El Bared are still seriously concerned about their families and some have even left family members behind in Nahr El Bared camp.

Visibly exhausted, displaced children from Nahr El Bared watch a football match in progress at Beddawi camp.

Throughout the weekend, more families from Nahr El Bared continued to pour into an already overcrowded Beddawi camp. Many came with only the clothes they were wearing.

UNRWA staff member, Sanaa Abu Khorj reunites with a friend at Beddawi camp.

Vehicle from Nahr El Bared, dumped near the entrance of Beddawi camp.

NGOs organise games for the children to distract from the cramped conditions.