UNRWA continues to respond to urgent needs of Ain el-Helweh displaced families

UNRWA continues to respond to urgent needs of displaced families forced to flee the Ain el-Helweh Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon, the largest in the country, a statement said. UNRWA is currently hosting 800 people in four of its shelters.

“Families have lost everything, and they need everything, especially protection and respite,” said Dorothee Klaus, Director of UNRWA Affairs in Lebanon. “Some have run for safety only with their clothes on them. They need food, health care and support for their mental health. It is just devastating that history repeats itself as many families have lived through this horror multiple times,” she added.

With partners, UNRWA is providing a package of assistance including the delivery of warm meals, health care, clothes, mattresses, hygiene kits, baby items and psychosocial support, including group counseling and stress management. Yesterday, a large garbage collection operation started to clear 56 metric tons of solid waste from some areas in Ain el-Helweh camp. This will continue over the coming days as waste has piled up across the camp.

“Our teams have been working for weeks to support families’ urgent needs. This is a drop in the ocean as much more is needed. We will continue to coordinate with partners to reach all families. We appeal to those fighting and those with influence over them to respect the ceasefire and provide safe access to the camp, including to assess the damage, especially in the eight UNRWA schools that have been taken over by armed groups,” concluded Klaus.

Since July 31, when the fighting began, at least 30 people have been killed and hundreds others injured. Fighting had led to massive destruction across most of the camp. Thousands of people have fled.

- Highlights of the UNRWA humanitarian response to displaced families:

Mobile health teams provided 803 medical consultations and essential medicines;

School principals and deputy school principals manage the shelters around the clock;

Counselors have provided awareness sessions to 125 people, including stress management, communication with children in emergencies, child protection, anti-bullying, sexual abuse;

UNRWA provided psychosocial support and counseling sessions to over 726 people and 216 people, respectively;

Rehabilitation of the designated emergency shelters and included water and sanitation facilities.

The teams have also included lighting, spraying against insects and garbage collection.

UNRWA resumed solid waste collection from some areas inside Ain el-Helweh camp via a local contractor. On September 19, 56 tons were removed from the camp.

UNRWA social workers and counselors are supporting through case management and group psychosocial activities. The UNRWA Protection team has carried out protection risk assessments in the designated emergency shelters. Training on child safeguarding was conducted and the team continued to address protection gaps with partners. A needs assessment is ongoing to address the needs of persons with disabilities and older persons.