The Official Launch of The Rubble Removal Operation in Nahr El Bared
Nearly one year and two months after the end of the violent clashes between the Lebanese army and Fath El Islam radical group in the Nahr El Bared camp, The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees, Lebanon Field Office (UNRWA) officially launched the Rubble Removal Operation that took place on Wednesday 29th of October 2008 in the old Camp.
This initiative is being implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in coordination with the Lebanese-Palestinian Dialogue Committee (LPDC) and the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO).
The launching was attended by Ambassador Khalil Mekkawi, Chairman of the Lebanese-Palestinian Dialogue Committee, Mr. Abbas Zaki, PLO Representative in Lebanon, Ambassador Patrick Laurent, Head of Mission of the European Union, Mr. Michael Williams, UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Ms Marta Ruedas, UNDP Resident Representative and UN Resident Coordinator along with Mr. Filippo Grandi, UNRWA’s Deputy Commissioner- General.
A special tent was prepared for this occasion, and a large number of Arab and foreign ambassadors representing donor states, representatives of the Palestinian popular committees of the Nahr El Bared camp as well as a large number of Lebanese; Arab and International journalists were present at the opening.
During the conference, Ambassador Khalil Mekkawi reiterated the firm commitment to rebuild the camp. “Many malicious rumours are still claiming that there won’t be reconstruction, however here were are facing a radiant truth as a 1st phase, but the first section of the camp, will be rebuilt in the initial weeks of January 2009”, he ensured.
“This day is the start of a long and not easy operation. The launch is a clear response to all those who are being sceptical about the Arab Solidarity”, said Mr. Abbas Zaki who urged those who are against terrorism to extend all the needed support to the Palestinians in Lebanon.
As for Ambassador Patrick Laurent, the launch is a sign of the firm collective European effort of the European Union.
“We think that the situation is still fragile and the funding is not enough, but our presence and contribution should encourage the donor states”
On this occasion, Mr. Michael Williams said that it is the first step of a long mission. He also encouraged the Lebanese government to ensure good living conditions to all the Palestinian Refugees, a step that will have a positive impact on the Lebanese-Palestinian relations.
According to Mr. Filippo Grandi, UNRWA’s deputy Commissioner- General, the reconstruction of Nahr El Bared camp is a big challenge and the launching is just a start.
“The rubble removal operation is a first and critical step towards the full reconstruction of the Nahr el Bared camp. I hope that the reconstructed camp can serve, as the Government plans, as model for improved living conditions in other Palestinian camps. I believe that this is an important part of the Lebanese-Palestinian dialogue efforts”, said Ms. Marta Ruedas.
At the end of the launching conference, the participants visited specific locations in the Nahr El Bared camp where the rubble removal operation started.
At the same time, a small group of Palestinian refugees protested reconstruction delays and loudly expressed their grievances.
31 000 Palestinian refugees of Nahr El Bared, left the camp during the heavy fightings in May 2007, seeking temporary shelter in shelter in the neighboring Beddawi and other Palestinian refugee camps. The residents of the surrounding Municipalities of Muhammara, Bebnine, Bhanine, Minieh, Beddawi and Deir Ammar were also partially displaced until October 2007, date of the gradual return process.
Around 18 months are estimated to remove all the rubble and waste from the camp, although it will depend on the level of Explosive Ordinances (EO) Contamination.
The UNRWA’s master plan for the camp reconstruction is divided into eight reconstruction packages. The first construction package is expected to start in January 2009 when the first sector of Nahr El Bared camp is totally cleared and the construction of the camp should be completed by mid-2011.
This Project is also a sign of partnership between UN agencies. UNDP supports UNRWA in NBC reconstruction, in the rubble removal process, and in providing technical assistance such as electricity repairs.
UNDP also provided support to building the capacities of the Lebanese Palestinian Dialogue Committee (LPDC) both for recovery and dialogue activities.
Breakdown of the US$ 10 million Contribution
for the Rubble Removal Contract for Nahr el Bared Camp
UNRWA Donor’s Contribution to
Rubble Removal
Amount in USD
Denmark 951,904
Belgium 1,458,336
Netherlands 1,953,955
EC 5,635,805
Total 10,000,000
Overview of UNDP Projects related with NAHR EL BARED Crisis (June 08 )
Title Start Date End Date Donors Total Budget
Coordinated Support to UNRWA in response to Nahr El Bared crisis (electricity, mapping, coordination) 2007 2008 UNDP/UNRWA 1,022,352
Early Recovery of Nahr El Bared six surrounding municipalities 2008 2008 Italy 1,917,405
Environmental Assessment ( NBC) 2008 2008 UNRWA 100,000
Demolition and Rubble Recycling (1) 2008 2008 UNRWA 15,000,000
UN integrated support to early recovery in the New Camp (2) 2008 2008 ECHO 3,800,000
Total 2008 2009 21,839,000
(1) US $ 10 million committed for the Old Camp, The Spanish Government pledged a further 0.8 + million USD for the activity at the International Donor Conference in Vienna.
(2) Includes a joint programme for UNICEF, UN-Habitat, ILO,UNRWA and UNDP ( as lead agency)
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Lebanon
