Kaag Visits Refugee Camp of Rashidieh, Expresses Worry over Living Conditions

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United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Sigrid Kaag expressed concern over the dire living conditions in the Palestinian refugee camp of Rashidieh in southern Lebanon, a statement said on Wednesday.

Kaag expressed her concern and "reaffirmed that the United Nations, through UNWRA, will continue to support Palestine refugees hosted in Lebanon," the statement said.

Kaag had visited the camp on Tuesday, during which she met with representatives of Rashidieh’s popular factions who briefed her on the conditions of the camp and the socio-economic difficulties facing its residents.

She also toured the camp’s health center, visited school facilities and a women’s center.

Rashidieh, located south of the coastal city of Tyre, was built by UNRWA in 1963 to accommodate Palestine refugees who were evacuated from Gouraud camp in the Baalbek area of Lebanon. Most of the inhabitants of Rashidieh camp originally come from Deir al-Qassi, Alma an-Naher and other villages in northern Palestine.

It was heavily affected during the Lebanese civil war, especially between 1982 and 1987. Nearly 600 shelters were totally or partially destroyed and more than 5,000 refugees were displaced. Remaining shelters need serious rehabilitation.

Employment opportunities are very limited. Most residents work seasonally in agriculture and construction.

SourceNaharnet
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