A few days ago I found this letter in my mail. I used to work in the refugee camps of Sabra and Chatila during the civil war in the 80ies, and I have to admit that the current situtation there touches me. Now I am stuck in my own life, but still, I remember those days as a time where I have learned so much from for my life yet about to come. Perhaps, you are interested to read an insight view.
Women’s Humanitarian Organization
Response to the conflict in Nahr al Barad Refugee Camp
During the current conflict in Nahr al Barad Palestinian Refugee Camp near Tripoli a large number of internally displaced people (IDP) are moving to family and friends in the other refugee camps, including those in which Women’s Humanitarian Organization (WHO) operates. Current estimates are that 15,000 people have left Nahr al Barad and about 300 families (2,000 people) are known to be in Bourj el Barajneh and Chatilla camps, including.
o 150 babies,
o 400 preschool children,
o 100 elderly with chronic illnesses,
o 300 women
o 1,000 youth
However theses numbers are changing daily. Most men have stayed in the north due to security problems which make travel for men much more difficult.
WHO’s strategy is to:
1. Help provide basic needs to the IDPs, including clothes, medicines, food supplies, and hygiene needs.
2. Include all IDPs in our programmes for local people including:
a. Education programmes
b. Health programmes
c. Social activities(including psychosocial activities which will help people to manage stress in this difficult time)
3.
Prepare the camps for any increase in the current unrest. In
particular we wish to ensure adequate drinking water supplies, as well
as medicine and food.
Costs for these concepts have not been fully established, however some estimates include:
1. food parcels $50 per week per family
2. Hygiene parcels (including basic clothing) $20 per family
3. Extra equipment for children’s programmes $5 per child
We are still trying y\to identify ways of making the camp well water
drinkable (desalination and sterilization). We also need to establish
stocks of food, particularly staples such as flour for bread)
We are seeking donors for this work, both larger institutional
donors and individuals. We would suggest that small donors contact
institutional donors, to reduce the costs involved in transferring
funds internationally, for example in Australia “Austcare” are happy to
forward donations for this crisis. We would ask institutional donors
who are willing to act as intermediaries to contact us so we can
circulate a complete list of organizations who will help with these
projects.
Olfat Mahmoud
Director, Women’s Humanitarian Organization
WHO’s email address is palwho@gmail.com
