R E F U G E E S

WAVEL REFUGEE CAMP

The Wavel camp was originally a French army barracks, whose original twelve buildings provided shelter to Palestine refugees in 1948. In 1952, UNRWA assumed responsibility for providing services in the camp. Wavel is situated 90 kilometres east of Beirut in the Beqaa Valley, near the city of Baalbeck.

Although the camp suffered less structural damage than other camps during the years of civil conflict, living conditions are particularly severe. Housing conditions in the camp are unhealthy as many refugees still live in the original mandate-era army barracks, which lack daylight and ventilation. Living conditions are particularily harsh in the winter, as the Beqaa Valley is a remote rural area with severe winter weather conditions. Poverty combined with difficult living conditions results in a number of social problems. Students often drop out of school in order to support their families. Palestine refugees are only able to find seasonal work in agriculture and construction.

The water system, sewerage and storm water drainage systems were recently rehabilitated.

Registered Refugees:

  • Total number: 7,909
  • Average family size: 3.76

UNRWA Education Programme

  • Schools: One elementary school and one secondary school
  • Pupils: 708

UNRWA Relief and Social Services Programme

  • Social Safety Net (SSN) Programme beneficiaries: 971 individuals
  • Recently carried out a needs assessment for the local kindergartens to identify children with special needs for further intervention.
  • 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.
  • Provides access to loans.

UNRWA Health Programme

  • Health centre: 1, regularly visited by specialists in gynecology, cardiology and ophthalmology
  • Number of patient consultations per month: 1056

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, kindergartens and training centers.