By
Antoine Amrieh
TRIPOLI,
Lebanon: Residents of the Palestinian refugee camp Nahr al-Bared staged a
demonstration Friday to protest a decision by UNRWA to end its assistance to
the first group of families who moved into newly built homes in the camp, which
is currently undergoing reconstruction.
The
residents protested at the headquarters of the Civil Committee in Nahr al-Bared,
calling on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency to reverse its decision
to stop its relief program until the camp has been fully reconstructed and
economic activity returns.
The
protesters also voiced their frustration with the new housing, which they said
has leaks in the ceilings and poor electrical installation. They called on
UNRWA to fix the issues and assist with paying rent.
In
late September, the first set of new houses and schools were completed in the
camp and 369 families, around 1,200 people, moved into new homes.
UNRWA,
donor countries and agencies are working to rebuild the camp, which was
destroyed during fighting between the Lebanese Army and Fatah al-Islam in
summer 2007.
The
residents said they would continue peaceful protests until their demands were
met and sent a statement addressed to the head of UNRWA in Lebanon.
“We
call on you to prevent the stop of UNRWA’s food assistance program for these
families ... given the economic circumstances they are living in,” the statement
said.
Residents
of a lot adjacent to the camp also staged a demonstration in front of the Nahr
al-Bared Reconstruction office Friday, demanding a quick solution to end their
displacement.
Meanwhile, 66 students
graduated from a 10-month vocational training program at the camp.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2011/Dec-17/157151-palestinians-protest-un-aid-stoppage.ashx#axzz1gtLKaQwu
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