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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
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