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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.
Figures as of 31 December 2003
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