Nahr al-Bared - three years on
20 May 2010
Daily Star - Today, the third anniversary of the Nahr al-Bared crisis, marks a time for reflection on where we stand today and how we move forward. As we have done in the three years that have come and gone, we must always keep our end goals in sight as we encounter the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead - respect and dignity for Palestine refugees and stability for the Lebanese state.
Reconstruction at Nahr al-Bared commenced on November 25 2009. This represented the culmination of intensive efforts by the Lebanese authorities - and here I make special mention of the Lebanese authorities, the Palestinian representation in Lebanon and the donor community - to overcome a multitude of obstacles.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) is now intensifying efforts to ensure a steady pace of reconstruction, with rebuilding taking place in the first of the eight 'reconstruction packages' or areas of the camp, with UNRWA planning on commencing Package 2 within a space of weeks and completing Package 1 by end 2010. By December 31 2010 we hope to see almost 2,000 refugees out of the 27,000 that were displaced as a result of the crisis, returning to their newly constructed homes. In addition, three of the schools are funded and ready to commence reconstruction, with UNRWA optimistic that all six that need to be rebuilt will be funded soon. None of this would have been possible without the generosity of our donors who have contributed $117 million so far.
This should begin to alleviate the very tough conditions that have existed in Nahr al-Bared for the past three years, with many families cramped into converted garages and temporary accommodation units, and all education in the camp taking place in prefabricated buildings on a double-shift basis.
The Agency as a whole finds itself in the midst of a financial crisis unprecedented in scale. We are $209 million short of funds for the reconstruction of Nahr al-Bared, money that will be needed in the coming months and years as the project unfolds. We are struggling to find the funds to provide the displaced residents of Nahr al-Bared with the most basic needs of food and shelter until their homes are rebuilt. Economic opportunity is the basis for stability and progress. We must address the current lack of access to such opportunity to avoid fuelling renewed instability.
UNRWA remains determined to do what it can to help contribute to a new vision for Nahr al-Bared and refugee camps across Lebanon and see that vision actualized. That vision must practically address the needs of both the Palestinians for as long as they remain in Lebanon - until a political settlement in accordance with UN resolutions is reached - and the Lebanese. We must not lose sight of the human beings at the centre of this project. The rebuilding of physical infrastructure must therefore be accompanied by an improved administrative and legal model, improved access to and from the camp, and most importantly improving the economic prospects for Palestinian families to provide for themselves.
On this third anniversary we at UNRWA reiterate our commitment to the rebuilding of Nahr al-Bared. We ask for all stakeholders to renew their efforts to achieve our common goal - and to fulfill an opportunity that we cannot afford to miss.
Salvatore Lombardo is the director UNRWA in Lebanon.
