More than Three Years and Still Displaced: Urgent Assistance for Palestine Refugees in North Lebanon

Rationale for NBC Relief and Recovery Needs in 2011

The destruction of Nahr el-Bared Camp (NBC) during the conflict in 2007 and the resultant displacement of some 27,000 Palestine refugees from the camp and its adjacent areas created a humanitarian crisis, the effects of which are still being felt three years on. With generous support from donors since 2007, UNRWA has been able to meet the most basic needs of the displaced refugees. Nevertheless, the long-term recovery of the camp and its residents is still dependent on the pace of reconstruction, and UNRWA's support to the displaced refugees continues to be vital during this interim period. The Agency therefore has no option but to provide relief and recovery assistance to the displaced refugees through 2011 and beyond, while exerting every effort to accelerate the camp's reconstruction.

The displacement of the majority of Palestine refugees from their original homes in NBC and its adjacent areas continues to present a serious humanitarian challenge. This is compounded by the slow rate of economic recovery of the NBC adjacent areas, hampered by restrictions on movement imposed by the Lebanese Armed Forces. The refugees displaced from NBC still live under extremely difficult and stressful conditions, affecting almost all aspects of their lives.