Back to Contents The report continues to state: “UNRWA provides daily environmental health services in all 12 Palestine refugee camps in Lebanon. These services include: (i) water supply management; (ii) wastewater and storm water maintenance; (iii) solid waste collection and final disposal; (iv) sweeping and cleaning of roads: and (v) regular vector control campaigns. Population growth in the camps, particularly with the arrival of PRS and Syrian refugees, has increased pressure on the provision of these services. Other challenges in 2021, including increased electricity cut-offs and the national fuel crisis, impacted on the daily operations of water plants in the camps, resulting in reduced water supplies to camp residents. The national solid waste crisis and closure of municipal/private landfill sites has put an additional strain on the solid waste management services provided by UNRWA.” (Source: UNRWA, “Syria, Lebanon and Jordan Emergency Appeal 2022”, 18 January 2022, p. 42) The French newspaper Le Monde published an article about a refugee camp in Lebanon and the situation of its inhabitants: “However, people are just getting by: those who are eligible for UNRWA aid are getting 20 dollars per person every three months. “Without the financial support of relatives from abroad, people would die of hunger. Those who leave want a better economic situation, calm, stability and security. They’ve lost hope that their fate here would improve” - attest the camp manager, who wanted to remain anonymous.” ORIGINAL SOURCE: Mais on y vivote : les habitants éligibles à l’aide de l’UNRWA, l’agence des Nations unies pour les réfugiés palestiniens, reçoivent 20 dollars par personne tous les trois mois. « Sans le soutien financier de proches à l’étranger, les gens mourraient de faim. Ceux qui partent veulent une meilleure situation économique, de la tranquillité psychologique, de la stabilité, de la sécurité. Ils ont perdu l’espoir que leur sort s’améliore », affirme un responsable du camp, qui souhaite rester anonyme. [Translation by Asylos.] (Source: Le Monde, “Avec des réfugiés palestiniens revenus au Liban après l’enfer en Biélorussie : « On a les mêmes problèmes qu’avant, des dettes en plus »”, 26 November 2021) UNRWA indicated that Palestine refugees in the camps experience a substandard living environment. “Around 45 per cent of Palestine refugees reside in the 12 official Palestine refugee camps. The camps are overcrowded and are affected by substandard infrastructure, sanitation and housing conditions. In addition, camp inhabitants have limited opportunities to improve their housing conditions, and the movement of building materials into the camps requires the authorization of the Lebanese authorities. The remaining Palestine refugees reside in gatherings or cities in Lebanon. (Source: Source: UNRWA: “Protection brief: Palestine refugees living in Lebanon”, September 2020, p. 2) Based on a Whatsapp survey in Palestinian camps and gatherings in Lebanon, the UNDP stated in August 2020 that: “In both the Wadi Zeineh gathering and Mieh Mieh camp, the need for medical and education facilities was overwhelming, as was the need for employment, infrastructure, and recreational space. In Mieh Mieh camp specifically, security checkpoints have restricted access to goods, services, and employment. In Wadi Zeineh gathering, residents were particularly frustrated by inadequate service provision (e.g., garbage collection by the municipality of Sibline).” (Source: UNDP, “Nothing and Everything to Lose: Results from a Qualitative Whatsapp survey of Palestinian Camps and Gatherings in Lebanon”, August 2020, p. 10) 11. Situation in the camps 116