MAR ELIAS REFUGEE CAMP

Mar Elias camp is the smallest Palestine refugee camp in Lebanon and covers an area of 5,400 sq. metres. It is situated in south west Beirut and was established in 1952 by the Mar Elias Convent to accommodate Palestine refugees from the Galilee in northern Palestine.

Most of the men work as casual labourers or run grocery stores and car maintenance workshops. Some women work in sewing factories and as cleaners.

There is a high incidence of chronic diseases in this camp and many refugees suffer from hypertension, cancer and diabetes.

FACTS AND FIGURES

• There are 1, 411 registered Palestine refugees;
• 23 families of 77 persons are registered as S.H.Cs.
• One UNRWA health centre with an average of 62 patients per day;
• One UNRWA elementary/preparatory school for 443 pupils in 2003/2004;

In addition to the services provided by UNRWA, a number of NGOs are active in Mar Elias, including Beit Atfal Al-Soumoud, Norwegian Peoples' Aid, Palestinian Martyrs' Association, Ghassan Kanafani Cultural Foundation, Vocational and Technical Training Committee, Al Inaach and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society. The services they provide include cash assistance to martyrs' families and orphans, rehabilitation and vocational training for refugees with disabilities, training in craft work and kindergartens.

The inhabitants of the camp have access to the RSSD loan and soft loan schemes.