June 25, 2010 Issue No. 60

Reconstruction:

Fillipo Grandi , the Commissioner-General of UNRWA visits NBC and Beddawi

On 24 June, the Commissioner General of UNRWA, Filippo Grandi traveled to NBC and met with

the factions and Popular Committee on the Nahr el-Bared reconstruction site. In his discussion

with the factions and Popular Committee, he reiterated UNRWA's determination to get the

displaced families of Package 1 back into their homes by the end of the year. He added that he met the Prime

Minister and the Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces to discuss the access permit issue. He made the

same statement when he spoke to the Advocacy Committee and the Committee of Displaced who had

organized a sit-in outside the Women's Program Center.

Earlier in the day, community members in plot 774 welcomed Mr. Grandi together with a senior US State

Department delegation whose visit coincided with Mr. Grandi's. In response to concerns raised by community

members about the difficulties of family life in the shelters, over the availability of medication, the need for

acceleration of reconstruction, and the suffering caused by the access permits, etc., Monique Ramgoolie of the

US delegation said, "We are pleased to see that reconstruction has begun and we reiterate the US commitment

to the beginning of the return of the displaced families to NBC at the end of the year".

On the construction site, UNRWA’s efforts to speed up works over the past few weeks are beginning to take

effect. 75% of Package 1 is under construction; ground floor walls with window opening are going up; last week,

50% of laborers started working overtime. In other parts of NBC, the DGA archeological team started the first

phase of the geo-physical survey of the lower seaside half of Package 2. Reconstruction of the first school

started on June 22.

Adjacent Areas to NBC:

The remaining part of E' was opened on 23 June. 130 families were at last able to return to their houses after

more than three years. Many were surprised over the level of

destruction and the magnitude of renovations needed. UNRWA's

contractor started clearing the newly open roads. During the day

UNRWA with the help of the Popular Committee (PC) distributed

awareness leaflets warning of the hazards of the area, which includes

unexploded ordnances. Tragically, one boy was killed when part of one

of the damaged buildings collapsed on top of him when he was inside.

UNRWA sends its sincere condolences to the bereaved family, and

together with the PC, we implore families to take the utmost care when

entering this highly damaged area. Children should be told to keep out.

Also on 23 June, the Government, Italian embassy and Palestinian

representatives launched the start of the rehabilitation project in the primes. Residents of these areas who

attended the launch were concerned that the amount allocated would not cover the full cost of rehabilitation.

In response, the Government explained that an appeal mechanism was being set up to respond to community

requests on an individual basis.

Relief and Recovery:

The Austrian project for Capacity Building of Women and Girls in NBC will organize summer activities for girls

ages 16 to 25 during July. Over the course of 23 days, the project will provide hand-crafts and recreational

activities. Interested girls and young women are encouraged to sign up at the Women’s Program Center in NBC.

Right to Play presenting World Cup Matches on big screen in NBC:

On 21 June, under the Qatari funded project, the NGO, Right To Play, started showing the World Cup matches

on a big screen in the mini football pitch they built near plot 755. NBC residents are invited to watch the

matches daily, starting at 5:00 pm.

Visits to NBC:

On 21 June, twenty-one international graduate students participating in the Beirut Exchange Program traveled

to NBC. They were briefed on NBC reconstruction and on UNRWA's regular and emergency services. They visited

NBRC where they received a presentation on community participation and the design process. Later in the day,

they met with plot 385 residents where they engaged in a lively hour long discussion. Their visit ended in the

reconstruction site where they were briefed on the progress of works.

"NLA Services & Camp News"

A letter from the DUAL to the factions and PCs on the attacks and threats to the Agency staff:

On 17 June, Salvatore Lombardo, the Director of UNRWA Affairs, Lebanon (DUAL) sent a letter to the secretary

of the Popular Committees after receiving concerning threats against UNRWA staff. The DUAL said, "I know that

you agree that incidents of this nature are completely unacceptable. Our staff, who themselves are refugees,

provide an important service to the refugee community on a daily basis, and should be able to do so free from

fear and of violence or threats. I remain committed to our efforts to increase transparency, to develop greater

dialogue and to build greater refugee participation. But I insist that this must go hand-in-hand with a

commitment on the part of our beneficiaries to use appropriate channels and not to resort violence, threats and

intimidation. In this regard, I respectfully request all and secure working environment for UNRWA staff. Failure

to establish such an environment will only undermine our efforts to improve the services we provide. I know

that I can count on your cooperation in this matter."

Recreational Activities starts on 21 June: On 21 June, UNRWA in coordination with Right To Play, started

implementing the summer recreational activities in Kawkab and

Nazareth Schools in Beddawi. The children who showed up were filled

with excitement. Activities started with dividing students into 6 groups.

Each group then chose a name, a song and a code of conduct.

Announcement: Fulbright grant for Ph.D in USA

Interested candidates are invited to apply for a grant to pursue Ph.D.

studies in the fields of engineering, science or technology at a university in the United States. The International

Fulbright Science and Technology Award, which covers a maximum of three years of study beginning in August

2011, is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State through the Embassy of the United States of America in

Lebanon. The program is funded by the U.S. Congress in the name of Senator J. William Fulbright and

demonstrates the United States’ commitment to welcoming outstanding future researchers and leaders to

purse serious scientific study at U.S. institutions. The grant includes: one roundtrip ticket between Lebanon and

the United States, tuition, room and board, health insurance, books and allowances for research and

professional conferences.

To access the online application, visit: https://apply.embark.com/student/fulbright/international If there are any misprints or inaccurate statements, please go to Camp Information Office and NMU Communication Office

This newsletter is generously sponsored by European Commission paying for the rental cash subsidies for the

displaced families from Nahr el Bared.

Summer Learning Program Supplement

All registered grade 4-8 students have been sent letters confirming their places in Summer

Learning, which begins on Monday 12 July at 7.30am in 39 school locations across Lebanon (see

below). All grade 9 students who fail the brevet are also strongly encouraged to attend. There is

no need for those who fail the brevet to register in advance – they should simply report to their

Summer Learning location at this time. List of schools below:

Area Original School Summer Learning Location

Qastal + Tiberias Qastal

Jeffna + Al Jarmaq Jeffna Beqa’

W/ Hawareth W/Hawareth

Area Original School Summer Learning Location

Lydda + Rafah + Media Lydda

Kawkab + Jinnen Kawkab

Majjedo Majjedo

Battouf + Mazar Jinnen

Ramleh + Nazareth + Amqa Nazareth

J/River + Battir Battir

Samakh + M/Tabour Samakh

Gaza + Al Manar Gaza

North

Majdal Majdal

Area Original School Summer Learning Location

E/Assal + Al Qadisieh + Naqab Naqab

B/Lahem + Palestine B/Lahem

Jabalia + Al Sarafand Al Sarafand

D/Yassin + Nimreen + Tantoura Nimreen

Al Shajarah D/Yassin

Houleh + Ceasaria Al Houleh

Tyre

Al Mansourah Al Mansourah

Area Original School Summer Learning Location

Baka + Yabud + Ariha Baka

Rammallah Rammallah

Bireh + Jerusalem Bireh

Karameh Karameh

Jalloud + Yarmouk + Toukarem Jalloud

Kabri + Carmel + Haifa + Galilee Galilee

Central Lebanon

Ras El Ein Ras El Ein

Area Original School Summer Learning Location

Hitten + Mintar + Safad Safad

Al Sammou’ Al Sammou’

Qibya + Naqoura Naqoura

Falouja + M/B/Amer Falouja

Bissan Qibya

B/Jala + B/Zeit B/Jala

Deir Al Qassi Deir Al Qassi

Asqalan Asqalan

Nablus + Rafidia Nablus

Jideen + Palestine Martyrs Palestine Martyrs

Salamah + Acre Salamah

Al Ouja + Dahrieh Al Ouja

Saida

Sakhra Sakhra