High-level donor delegation visits Nahr el Bared camp – UNRWA press release

Press release

High Level Donor Delegation Visits Nahr el Bared Camp

Beirut – 5 February 2008: A high level delegation representing UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) donor countries visited Nahr el Bared and Bedawwi Camps today, and were briefed by senior officials from UNRWA about the progress made at Nahr El Bared and the Agency's projects in neighbouring Bedawwi Camp.

"Rebuilding Nahr el Bared will be the single largest project in UNRWA's history," said Richard Cook, Director of the UNRWA office in Lebanon, "and the relationship between UNRWA and our donors will be increasingly important as we move forward towards reconstruction of the camp."

The donor delegation began the day with a tour of Beddawi Camp, where they visited the office of the Palestinian Reconstruction Committee which, together with UNRWA, is working on the master plan for the reconstruction of Nahr El Bared. The donors then toured the Agency's installations in Bedawwi and met displaced families.

The delegation moved to the area adjacent to Nahr EL Bared Camp where they visited returnees, UNRWA's clinic and other installations.

"We are delighted with the co-operation and support we are receiving from the Lebanese government," said Richard Cook. "The army has informed us that UNRWA will be given access to the official camp as soon as the displaced people have visited the various areas of the camp to look for their belongings. We hope this is going to be done in a systematic manner."

Tomorrow, the donor representatives will be briefed by UNRWA's senior officials about the progress of the work in the new camp and the preparations for the reconstruction of the old camp. They will also meet with representatives of the Lebanese government and the World Bank.

They will end their visit with a tour in Shatilla camp in southern Beirut, where they will be updated on UNRWA's current activities and its future projects and challenges.

Ends

For more information please contact UNRWA Public Information Office tel: 01-840462 ext 314. e-mail:

h.samra@unrwa.org