HAMA REFUGEE CAMP

Hama camp lies within the town of Hama, 200 kilometres north of Damascus. The camp was established in 1950 on an area of 60,000 square metres overlooking the Orontes River. Most of the refugees had fled from the villages surrounding Haifa and Acre in northern Palestine.

The majority of employed refugees are wage labourers or small shop keepers.

Environmental health in the camp is a serious problem and the mechanization of solid waste disposal is one of the most pressing needs. The sewerage system is antiquated and does not meet the requirements of a growing camp population. The schools, which were built in the 1950s, are in poor condition. UNRWA's main priority in the camp is to reconstruct the schools to be able to provide better educational facilities for the children.

In 2000, UNRWA was able to construct a community resource centre for refugees with disabilities and a Women's Programme Centre in partnership with MOVIMONDO Molisv (an Italian non-governmental organization) and with funds from the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO). Run by locally-recruited committee and rehabilitation workers, under the Agency's sponsorship, the centre provides basic rehabilitation and referral services, and helps integrate refugees with disabilities into the life of the community

UNRWA has identified one of Hama’s schools for a pilot project of Inclusive Education. The project, funded by the Karim Said Foundation (a British non-governmental organization), will include modification of premises, materials and equipment and will be implemented in the upcoming school year. The Agency will implement the necessary adaptation requirements for the school premises. Karim Rida Foundation will provide funding for the changes, for the purchase of equipment, and for the training of teachers and other resource persons.

FACTS AND FIGURES

• On 30 June 2002, there were 7,597 registered refugees.
• UNRWA runs four schools in the camp: two elementary (ages 6-12) - one for boys (373 pupils) and one for girls (302 pupils); and two combined elementary and preparatory schools (ages 13-15) - one for boys (304 pupils) and one for girls (296 pupils).
• Between January-June 2002, there were 9,819 patient consultations in the UNRWA health centre.
• 250 families ( 748 refugees) are registered as special hardship cases (SHCs).
• Over the past four years, UNRWA has assisted two of the poorest refugee families with the rehabilitation of their shelter.

Figures as of 30 June 2002