Press Releases 2008
United States Pledges Donation to Appeal for Palestinian Refugees in Nahr al-Bared and Additional Assistance for Nearby Lebanese Communities
June 23, 2008
The United States announced today its pledge of $22 million to assist Palestinian refugees in the Nahr al-Bared camp and Lebanese in surrounding communities. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns announced the news at a donor conference for the reconstruction of Nahr al-Bared in Vienna, Austria. This latest pledge follows the U.S. Government’s $13.5 million donation in response to United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East’s (UNRWA) September 2007 Emergency Appeal and separate $100,000 contribution to Lebanese communities.
The $22 million aid package is divided into three components. First, $10 million will support UNRWA’s reconstruction of the camp, including housing, infrastructure and utilities, in addition to restoring educational and health services. Second, $6 million will focus on revitalizing Lebanese communities surrounding the camp, including reconstruction, job creation, improved sanitation services, school rehabilitation and business development. Third, $6 million in security assistance will bolster Lebanese Internal Security Forces (ISF) community policing, construct an ISF police station and provide equipment such as patrol vehicles and duty gear.
The Government of Lebanon and UNRWA presented a joint plan at the donor conference to rebuild the camp destroyed after the Lebanese Armed Forces battled Fatah al-Islam terrorists in summer 2007. Under this appeal, the Government of Lebanon, UNRWA, and World Bank are seeking $445 million to meet the needs of Nahr al-Bared families, host families and affected adjacent communities.
The United States is UNRWA’s largest bilateral donor. Thus far in fiscal year 2008, the U.S. Government has contributed $148 million to UNRWA. Donations include $91 million to support UNRWA’s General Fund for programs and activities in all five fields: West Bank, Gaza, Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon. In addition, the U.S. Government provided $57 million in response to UNRWA’s 2007 Emergency Appeal for the West Bank and Gaza.
For additional information on U.S. assistance to Lebanon, visit the U.S. Embassy website (http://lebanon.usembassy.gov).
