LPDC launches development projects in Al-Buss, Mieh Mieh and Nahr Al Bared camps
On the margins of the Advisory Commission on UNRWA in Beirut, the Chairman of the Lebanese-Palestinian Dialogue Committee Dr. Bassel Al Hassan, inaugurated on Thursday, June 16th 2022, the first phase of the Yasser Arafat Medical Complex of the Palestine Red Crescent Society in Al-Buss camp in Tyre. The complex includes emergency and radiology departments, and was made possible with funding from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the German Development Agency (GIZ). Delegates from the two respective agencies were present during the inauguration.
In attendance at the inauguration were; the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization; the Head of the Refugee Affairs Department, Dr. Ahmad Abu Holi; the Palestinian Ambassador to Lebanon, H.E. Ashraf Dabbour; Secretary of the Fatah movement and the Palestine Liberation Organization factions in Lebanon, Fathi Abu Ardat, and representatives of the factions.
Dr. Al Hassan recounted the history of Lebanon as host to Armenian refugees at the turn of the 20th century, and after the Nakba of 1948, as host to Palestine refugees. He spoke of the social and human ties that connect the people of Tyre and Sidon with Palestine refugees and how this has forged a shared historical identity. In his opening speech, Dr. Al Hassan expressed “We are working very seriously for a decent life for the Palestinian people in El Buss camp and all of Lebanon, in order to open the way for a decent life for the Palestinians until the day they return to their homeland.”
Dr. Al Hassan extended his gratitude to the participants attending the launch of the medical complex, to the head of the municipality of Tyre Hussein Dabouq, and to the people of the city for their “partnership in life and coexistence.” The Director of the United Nations Development Program, Muhammad Salih; the representative of the German delegation (GIZ) Mark Basma; Ambassador Dabour and Dr. Abu Houli delivered speeches at the inauguration, before the attendees toured the departments of the medical complex to view the equipment and meet with the medical staff.
Visit to Al Hamshari Hospital
Delegates participating in the Advisory Commission to UNRWA, accompanied by a joint delegation from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the German Development Agency (GIZ), visited Al-Hamshari Hospital in Sidon. Dr. Al Hassan provided a briefing in the presence of administrative and medical staff regarding the recently equipped medical department to treat patients with Covid-19. This initiative was made possible by LPDC in partnership with UNDP and GIZ, and was funded by the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
Visit to newly constructed UNRWA al-Sakhra Co-educational School in Mieh Mieh, Saida
UNRWA inaugurated the newly constructed al-Sakhra co-educational school in Mieh Mieh, Saida, on Friday June 17th 2022. In attendance were LPDC Chairman Dr. Bassel Al Hassan, the United States Ambassador to Lebanon H.E. Dorothy C. Shea; French Ambassador to Lebanon, H.E. Anne Girou; Palestinian Ambassador to Lebanon, H.E. Ashraf Dabbour; Commissioner-General, Ms. Leni Stenseth; and Director of UNRWA Affairs in Lebanon, Mr. Claudio Cordone.
Visit to Nahr el Bared camp
On Tuesday, the 21st of June 2022, Dr. Bassel Al Hassan and the UNRWA Deputy Commissioner-General, Ms. Leni Stenseth, visited Nahr Al-Bared camp, accompanied by the Director of UNRWA Affairs in Lebanon, Claudio Cordone; they were briefed regarding the ongoing challenges of reconstructing Blocks N.56 and N.57.
The delegation visited the reconstructed buildings in Block N.55 and met a family who recently returned to their reconstructed home. The delegation also met with a group of young Palestine refugees from Lebanon who spoke about their studies, their frustration regarding restrictions on their right to work, the lack of available job opportunities, and their loss of hope. Representatives of the Palestinian factions and the popular committees spoke to the delegation, calling for increased support from the Agency and the Lebanese authorities.
