DBAYEH REFUGEE CAMP

The Dbayeh camp is situated 12 kilometres east of Beirut on a hill overlooking the Beirut-Tripoli highway. It was established in 1956 to accomodate Palestine refugees who originally came from the Galilee in northern Palestine.

Due to its location, the camp suffered a great deal of violence and destruction during the civil war. In 1990 alone, 25% of its shelters were destroyed or severely damaged and over 100 of its principally Christian Palestine refugee families were displaced. It is the only remaining Palestinian refugee camp in the East suburbs of Beirut.

Residents of el-Buss live in severe economic hardship; many are unemployed. A few men find work as casual labourers and some young men work in area shops or as cleaners. The camp’s infrastructure is currently under comprehensive rehabilitation.

Registered Refugees:

• Total number: 4,048
• Average family size: 3.76

UNRWA Education Programme

• Schools: 1 elementary/preparatory school
• Pupils: 60

The UNRWA school is located outside of the camp, in Bourj Hammoud.

UNRWA Relief and Social Services Programme

• Social Safety Net (SSN) Programme beneficiaries: 245 individuals
• Sponsors students with disabilities to attend specialized institutions; students with motor disabilities and visual impairments are streamlined in UNRWA schools.
• Provides children with disabilities psycho-therapy and covers rehabilitation services such as prosthetic and corrective devices.
• Modifies the shelters of students with disabilities mainstreamed in UNRWA schools.
• Gives access to loans

UNRWA Health Programme

• Health centre : 1
• Number of medical staff: 1, regularly visited by specialists in cardiology
• Number of patient consultations per month: 240
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Community Services

• A number of local and international NGOs provide services in the camp. They provide social and medical services, including a kindergarten and special care for the young and the elderly.