R E F U G E E S

BOURJ EL-SHEMALI REFUGEE CAMP

The Bourj el-Shemali camp is located three kilometres east of Tyre in south Lebanon. The camp was established to provided tented shelter for refugees from Hawla and Tiberuias in northern Palestine in 1948, and UNRWA began providing services there in 1955. Most shelters have been rebuilt with conrete blocks, though there are still many make-shift centers with zinc roofing.

Unemployment is high in Bourj el-Shemali. Most men find work in seasonal agriculture and construction; women work in agriculture and as house cleaners.

All shelters have electricity. Water is supplied through three UNRWA-operated wells; drinking water comes from another four local wells. The camp has recently undergone infrastructure improvements, including installement of a water supply network and sewerage system. A series of projects to rehabilitate or reconstruct 450 shelters by 2011 began in 2007. The disability program carried out a needs assesment for adaptation works for homes of persons with disabilities.

Registered Refugees:

  • Total number: 19,771
  • Average family size: 3.76

UNRWA Education Programme

  • Schools: Four elementary/preparatory schools.
  • Pupils: 1725

UNRWA Relief and Social Services Programme

  • Social Safety Net (SSN) Programme beneficiaries: 4333 individuals
  • Sponsors students with disabilities to attend specialized institutions; students with motor disabilities are streamlined in UNRWA schools.
  • Provides rehabilitation services, such as prosthetic devices
  • Gives access to loans

UNRWA Health Programme

  • Health centre : 1
  • Number of medical staff: 18, regularly visited by specialists in gynecology, cardiology and ophthalmology
  • Number of patient consultations per month: 5632

Community Services

  • A community managed women's programme centre runs skill-training courses and apprenticeships. The centre organizes awareness sessions on health, social, legal, human rights and gender issues and coordinates with local NGOs to respond to community needs.

  • A number of local NGOs provide services in the camp. They provide cash assistance as well as hospital services, kindergatens and training centers.