US-funded health center in Nahr el-Bared refugee camp inaugurated – UNRWA press release

Inauguration of a US funded health center in Nahr el-Bared camp

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East UNRWA inaugurated today a US funded Health Center in Nahr el-Bared camp adjacent area in the presence of US Ambassador Michele Sisson, Ambassador Khalil Makkawi, chairman of the Lebanese Palestinian Dialogue Committee and the Director of UNRWA Affairs in Lebanon, Salvatore Lombardo.

The ceremony took place in UNRWA compound in Tripoli where a briefing was given to the visitors and a presentation was made on the project. Then, the US Ambassador had an open discussion with healthcare providers and a group of beneficiaries.

The new health center is located in Sector A of the adjacent area to Nahr el-Bared camp and currently manages 748 active files of displaced families who have returned to this area. The construction of the NBC Health Center 2 added to the capacity of the NBC Health Center I, established at the end of the crisis which treats on average 192 patients per day. NBC Health Center II began operating on November 28, 2008.

Thanks to the generous donation of the US Government, UNRWA will be able to provide more health services to the displaced refugees from Nahr el-Bared. The US has always been an outstanding supporter of UNRWA, and this particular donation marks a significant improvement to the life of the Palestine Refugees. "Access to quality health services is of fundamental importance to people who have been displaced from their homes and who face difficult conditions," said Salvatore Lombardo, Director of UNRWA Affairs in Lebanon.

The US has contributed to UNRWA since Nahr el-Bared crisis broke out in 2007. The US contributed $3.5 million to UN´s initial Flash Appeal, and it was the first donor to respond to UNRWA's Emergency Appeal for North Lebanon with a pledge of $10.5 million. Again the US continued its support to Palestine refugees by donating to UNRWA $4.31 million to the Relief and Early Recovery Appeal and $ 23.5 million the Reconstruction of Nahr el-Bared.

The US has always contributed generously to UNRWA. In 2008, the US donated 85.86 m$ to the Agency's General Fund.