WAVEL REFUGEE CAMP

Wavel camp is situated 90 km east of Beirut in the Beqaa Valley, near the city of Baalbeck. Originally a French army barracks, the camp is accommodated in a walled area of 42,300 square meters. The French authorities provided shelter to the refugees in 1948 in the original 12 buildings and in 1952 UNRWA took over responsibility for providing services in the camp. 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 most shelters, situated in the former army barracks lack daylight and ventilation. 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. The Beqaa Valley is a remote rural area with severe winter weather conditions. Palestine refugees are only able to find seasonal work in agriculture and construction.

FACTS AND FIGURES

• There are 7, 553 registered Palestine refugees;
• 230 families of 981 persons are registered as S.H.Cs.
• One UNRWA health centre with an average of 65 patients per day;
• Two UNRWA elementary/preparatory schools with 833 enrolled pupils in 2003/2004;
• One community managed women's programme centre that runs skill-training courses, organizes awareness raising sessions on health, social, legal, human rights and gender issues and coordinates with local NGOs to respond to community needs. Income generation loans and group guaranteed lending are also provided to women.
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In addition to the facilities UNRWA provides there are a number of NGOs active in Wavell, including Al-Najda Al-Ijtimayia, Ina'ash and Beit Atfal Al-Soumoud, Bilal Bin Rabah Centre. The services they provide include cash assistance to orphans, kindergartens and a training centre.

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