LATTAKIA [UNOFFICIAL REFUGEE CAMP*]

Lattakia camp is an "unofficial" camp located within the city boundaries of Lattakia on the Mediterranean coast. The camp was established in 1955-1956 on an area of 220,000 square metres. Most of the refugees originally came from the city of Jaffa and villages in northern Palestine.

Fishing provides a small income for many refugees. They occasionally work as casual labourers in the port. Seasonal employment in the tourism sector is also common.

High humidity and erosion due to the camp's proximity to the sea have made most shelters in need of rehabilitation. UNRWA's main priority in the camp is to improve the condition of refugee shelters and to upgrade the sewage system.

Registered refugees:

• Total: 10, 237 (December 20008)

• Average family size: 4.3 members

• Camp population by age:

UNRWA Education Programme

• Schools: 4 double-shifted schools, operating in 2 school buildings.
• Staff: 52
• Pupils: 1,344

In 2007 specialised rooms such as a computer and science laboratory, a multipurpose room, etc. were constructed in one school. The other schools need specialised rooms, including science and computer laboratories, a music room, sports facilities and learning resource and support centres, in order to facilitate and diversify the pupils’ studies.

UNRWA Relief and Social Services Programme

• Food distribution centre: 1
• Social safety net (SSN) programme beneficiaries: 7197 individuals (1925 families) receive 7000 daily rations

Microcredit Community Support Programme – Community Managed Funds:

• Individual loans (up to US$3000 for urgent health issues, to improve households, education etc., since August 2008): 29

• Group-Guaranteed Lending (of value US$2500 – 5000 per group, for self-formed groups of five women, since 2005): active – 16, general – 47

UNRWA Health Programme

• Health centre: 1
• Number of medical staff: 8
• Number of patient consultations per month: 3075

Major Problems:

• Unpaved roads
• High unemployment rate
• Drug addiction
• High rate of school dropouts
• Housing problems

*A number of so-called unofficial refugee camps were established over time by the host governments to provide accommodation for Palestine refugees. In all respects, refugees in official and unofficial camps have equal access to UNRWA services, except that UNRWA is not responsible for solid waste collection in the unofficial camps.