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 mechanisation of solid waste disposal is one of its most pressing needs. The sewerage system is antiquated and does not meet the requirements of a growing camp population. The schools, 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.

Registered Refugees:

• Total: 8,263 (December 2008)
• Average family size: 4.8 members
• Camp population by age:

UNRWA Education Programme

• Schools: 4 double–shifted schools, operating in 2 school buildings.
• Staff members: 60
• Pupils: 1345

The two school buildings are in very poor condition and need reconstruction.

UNRWA Relief and Social Services Programme

• Food distribution centre: 1
• Social safety net (SSN) programme beneficiaries: 8102 individuals (1976 families) receive 760 daily rations

UNRWA Health Programme

• Health centre : 1
• Number of medical staff: 9
• Number of patient consultations per month: 1746

Major Problems:

• High unemployment rate
• Early marriage and divorce
• High rate of school dropouts