full text of Flash Appeal

FLASH APPEAL- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Lebanon, June 2007

As a result of the fighting between armed members of the fundamentalist group Fatah Al Islam (FAI) and the Lebanese Army in Tripoli (northern Lebanon) and around Nahr El Bared Camp (NBC) since 20 May 2007, almost 27,000 Palestine refugees have fled their homes. The fighting has resulted in the tragic deaths of 18 civilians since the start of the conflict. Media reports indicate at least 38 Lebanese soldiers and up to 60 FAI members have been killed.

Most of the displaced have taken refuge in Beddawi Camp, as well as moving south to other locations in Lebanon. Whilst the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) continues its normal operations and services to the hundreds of thousands of Palestine refugees, the current conflict has imposed upon UNRWA a new emergency situation that needs urgent action.

Prior to the beginning of the conflict, UNRWA estimates 27,000 of the registered refugees were living inside NBC. By 25 May, the majority of families had fled seeking shelter in nearby Beddawi camp with relatives, or in UNRWA schools as well as moving to other Palestinian refugee camps across Lebanon. Currently UNRWA believes 3,000 – 5,000 refugees remain inside the camp, where they have been left without an adequate water supply, unhygienic conditions and electricity shortage since 20 May. It is believed those still inside the camp include children, the sick and the elderly.

UNRWA’s Flash Appeal for US $12.7 million represents an assessment of the cost of delivering assistance to the displaced over the coming 90 days. It includes plans for food aid, shelter, (both immediate and short-term), emergency health, water and sanitation and protection, as well as provisions to enable refugee pupils affected by the crisis to sit public examinations. These plans and services will be implemented by UNRWA with the support of several UN partners, whose support – both material and technical – has been substantive throughout this crisis.

Two weeks on from the start of the crisis, UNRWA identified two possible scenarios in the development of this Flash Appeal: (i) a protracted displacement of refugees from NBC and (ii) provision of assistance to refugees returning to NBC in the event the current crisis is resolved. Each will require a different humanitarian response, involving diverse roles and actors. The overall objective of this appeal effort is to meet the immediate life-saving needs of the displaced refugees and provide the immediate and short-term support necessary to ensure a safe return to NBC as soon as conditions allow. The appeal also covers reimbursement of funds already spent.

It is believed NBC has sustained significant damage during the fighting and shelling, with large numbers of public and private buildings affected and water, sewage and electricity networks badly damaged. One-third of the 315 UNRWA staff living in the camp, who have since fled reported their homes have either been destroyed or damaged. Water services in the camp are believed to be no longer functioning. Sewage systems are likely to be clogged, presenting a potentially major public health risk. Uninjured refugees who fled the camp have presented with symptoms have been treated for dehydration, diarrhoea and stomach complaints.

Beddawi camp, 15 kilometres to the south of NBC, has swollen from around 16,000 persons to 37,000, jepordising the lives of inhabitants and stretching the already crowded living conditions and overburdened facilities.

Flash appeal budget summary

Note: this includes $11,463,494 for which UNRWA is appealing for interventions that will be implemented directly by the Agency and implementing partners and $1,200,000 which should be channeled directly to UNICEF.

UNRWA is the appealing agency for all funds associated with the appeal, with the exception of those activities which will be managed by UNICEF. For administrative purposes, funds requested by UNICEF should be channeled directly to that Agency.

Displaced persons have scant resources to purchase essential supplies, whilst the coping mechanisms of hosting refugee families, many of whom are themselves facing extreme hardship, are severely strained. Many refugees fleeing the camp are suffering from stress and trauma as a result of their ordeal, with the needs of children a particular concern.

Donors are encouraged to support this Flash Appeal generously, thus enabling UNRWA to alleviate some of the worst impact of the crisis on the affected refugee population of Nahr El Bared camp.