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A
minor contribution makes the difference for Palestinian Refugees |
Our group ‘the
Right to Return’ organises, in cooperation with Intal, solidarity
with Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. From the 2nd until the 18th of
July 2008 we organised a work camp in Lebanon, together with nine young
Belgians. We stayed in Nahr-El-Bared, a Palestinian refugee camp in
northern Lebanon that was entirely devastated after a three-months-firing
by the Lebanese army.
A
team of youngsters have put in their greatest effort trying to make
the Al Shifaa clinic’s premises and |
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equipment operational. Al Shifaa is a small emergency hospital and
the only 24/7 medical service provided in the present camp.
We have
been working together with about fifteen young Palestinians belonging
to the Palestinian Youth Centre, a small but brave centre created
to animate local children, youngsters and to support the inhabitants.
We contributed
to realise their projects and every single euro donated was effectively
allocated. Our main concern is now to ensure the hospital and youth
centre’s liveability. After all, they are indispensable for
the Palestinians whom recently returned to their devastated camp. |
For
both the Al Shifaa hospital and the youth centre, your financial
support can make the difference in the life-and-death struggle for
their existence. |
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The Palestinian
Refugees
In 1948, 75% of
the Palestinian population was expelled from their homeland
to enable the establishment of Israel. As a consequence, 750
000 refugees were dispersed over the neighbouring countries.
Although the United Nations acknowledged their right to return
in 1948 (Resolution 194), 60 years later they are still living
in exile. Nowadays they are with no less than 4.3 million,
400.000 of whom are living Lebanon in 12 refugee camps. They
are denied every political and social right and are being
discriminated in every way possible (they are, for instance,
prohibited to practise 72 professions outsides the camps’
premises). |
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Camp Nahr el
Bared nearby Tripoli (Northern Lebanon)
The Nahr
el Bared refugee camp used to be one of the most prosperous camps
in Lebanon, sparkling with life until the fundamentalist group Fatah-al-Islam
entrenched itself inside the camp after barbarously attacking a
Lebanese checkpoint. The Lebanese government decided to eliminate
the Islamic fraction by bombing and shooting the camp. About 30.000
inhabitants had to flee and were received by their families in other
camps, in schools, garages or tents.

The
Nahr-el-Bared shelling lasted approximately 4 months, from 20th
of May until the 2nd of September 2007. The oldest part of the camp
is still in ruins and is completely cut off by the Lebanese army.
About 2000 of the 6000 families have already returned to the new
part of the camp, that was greatly |
damaged as
well. They are living in horrendous circumstances, as hundreds of families
are sheltered in overheated UN-provided containers, useful to keep animals
but most certainly not intended for sheltering human beings.
De Al Shifaa Clinic
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Last year, the Palestinian doctor Tawfik and
Melad –a nurse in the Al Shifaa clinic- remained in the besieged
camp, one month after every inhabitant had left. Moreover, it was
Al Shifaa’s medical team that was the first to return to the
camp to support the ‘homecoming’ families from the very
beginning.
Unfortunately, the original Al Shifaa hospital
was destroyed in the attack and the medical team is momentarily
accommodated in a small, hired garage. However, paying the rent
has become unbearable cost and we therefore prepared and installed
their new ‘headquarters’ (8 UN-containers) by building
a brick fence, the pouring concrete and supplying water, electricity
and air conditioning. On the 1st of August Tawfik and his medical
team could finally move in their newly-built accommodations.
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The Palestinian Youth Center
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Melad,
the nurse in Al Shifaa, took charge of the youth centre
since it plays a key role in the disorganised camp. He attempts
to make up a team leading the reconstruction of the camp
and encouraging the desperate population. PYC’s main
goal is informing the children about their Palestinian roots,
looking after them and providing them every possible educational
support. Furthermore, they are concerned with developing
its daily workings enabling children, youngsters and adolescents
to meet on a regular basis, supporting each other and In
addition, they organise activities such as English education,
which is crucial for fundraising and networking. |
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want to do something about this!
We are therefore trying to find 100 permanent supporters
who can keep Al Shifaa and PYC running.
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The oncoming months, Al Shifaa hospital
will need financial support, mainly for buying medicines
and the Palestinian Youth Centrre has completely been left
to its own devices.
For that matter we are searching
100 sponsors willing to donate the monthly amount of 10
euros (or more) by standing credit deposit. With those 1000
euros a month we can develop a planned and structured way
of working, which is of vital importance for the camp’s
inhabitants.
This is an urgent appeal to everybody who is an ardent
supporter of the Palestinian refugees and willing to encourage
them in their brave battle!
Choose
for a standing credit for the Relief Fund third world:
001-0451780-30, clearly mentioning ‘NEB July 2008’.
Send
us the filled-in slip (bellow) back. Every supporter will
regularly be informed about the destionation of his/her
donation.
Important!
These gifts are tax-deductible, so basically you would only
be paying 5 euros/month. A mere sum of money for you, a
world of difference for them.
With great gratitude: Karen, Inge,
Jutta, Heider, Matthias, Evy, Evy, Wahiba, Zaki, Maha and
in particular by dokter Tawfiq (Al Shifaa), Melad en Yasmine
(PYC) and the people of Nahr el Bared.
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Copy
this slip, fill it in and send it to info@rechtopterugkeer.be
Date: ........................
Customer: .........................................................................
Adress: ..........................................................................................
Email: .......................................... Mobile:
.................................
I hereby order
my bank to transfer the monthly sum of ........ €
to the account of Steunfonds derde wereld (relief fund
third world):
001 - 0451780 - 30
clearly mentioning 'NEB July 2008'
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Camp
2008
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| Camp
2007
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Camp
2006 |
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