Centers
FEATURING niScvt CentersS
EIN EL HELWI CENTER
Location:
Ein El Helwei is the most populace of all the Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon. It is located 3 Km to the South East of Saida city, and 45 km from the capital Beirut.
History:
The camp was originally established by the International Committee of the Red Cross in 1949, with tents being provided for Palestinian refugees who came from Northern Palestine. Its population was approximately 18,000 at that time. The majority of its inhabitants came from the villages in the Galilee region. UNRWA began its services in this camp in 1952. Gradually tents were replaced by concrete and zinc roofed shelters. The population of this camp is approximately 70,000 inhabitants at present, among which 45,337 are registered by UNNTWA. The camp area is one and a half square kilometer which makes it the highest in population density.
Camp Conditions
I-Education Condition:
UNRWA runs ten schools inside this camp. Nine of which are for elementary and intermediate levels and just one for secondary level. Similar to other camps, the education standard is low owing to many factors, some related to the education system that needs in-depth reform, while others are linked to the socio-economic and political situation of the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.
Pre-school education is the responsibility of the NGOs who run different kindergartens and also some schools for vocational training.
II. Medical Services:
Besides UNRWA, PRCS is the second biggest health provider, while some NGOs provide limited health services. In addition, some doctors with different specializations base private clinics inside the camp. The overall health situation is far below an acceptable standard and it is a real dilemma for the people; primarily those afflicted with chronic illnesses.
III. Housing conditions:
Housing shortages are acute and cannot be solved due to the small area of the camp and its high population density. This obliges the residents to expand vertically or horizontally squeezing houses near each other with very small rooms- mostly dark and humid. This pressure on the weak infrastructure is also another problem that needs to be addressed through a complete repair or reconstruction of the internal roads, sewerage and water networks in addition to the electric power.
IV. Socio-Economic situation:
Like other camps, Ein El-Helweh suffers from dire socio-economic problems that are more evident in this camp due to its larger population. Most people work in the agriculture sector, or on the construction sites as daily waged laborers; some have their own small businesses inside the camp such as small shops for various trades and services. However the unemployment rate is very high, a reality that causes diverse social problems, obviously the majority of the youth tends to immigrate to other countries whenever they have the opportunity.
Beit Atfal Assumoud Center:
Ein EL Helweh camp has been subjected to continuous Israeli attacks and internal armed conflicts, which has resulted in the destruction of numerous houses, and the killing or kidnapping of many people. Consequently, there was an urgent need for Beit Atfal Assumoud to establish a social/cultural center in the camp which would assist and support the children and families whom had lost their primary income providers. The need was not solely financial, the children and youth needed support on all levels and primarily a space in which they can enjoy cultural and recreational activities.
In 1985, a small center was built inside the camp, but with the increasing need and higher number of beneficiaries, it was important to seek the construction of a larger center, which was realized in 1998 through the support of the following organizations: • Fluchtling in Lebanon (Germany) • Norwegian People’s Aid • Roger Haus foundation (Switzerland) • The Welfare Association.
Services:
The center provides the following services for orphaned children and others from families categorized as hardship cases:
• A sponsorship program which provides social and financial assistance for 79 families and 153 children
• A kindergarten that offers a comprehensive pre-school education for 68 children between 3-6 years.
• A dental clinic specifically for children, offering treatment and education on oral hygiene for the center and a number of KGs inside the camp, in addition to the teachers and care givers
• Income generating project for women through the Palestinian embroidery project.
• Remedial classes and classes for school drop-outs students.
• A class for girls with learning difficulties.
• Recreational activities for children and youth.
• Lectures, social and recreational activities for the mothers.