Bourj El Barajneh

What We Do ?

Located in the heart of southern suburbs of Beirut Bourj El Barajneh is one of the most vulnerable areas, its local population is mainly Lebanese but due to its cheap housing and hospitable locals, it has acquired a sizable refugee populations like Kurds, Iraqis (including Iraqi Assyrians) and other refugee populations like recently arrived Syrian refugees that reside mainly in and around the local Palestinian refugee camp.
Bourj El Barajneh hosts around 25, 000 refugees besides its 51000 local citizens.

Amel has operated a centre in Bourj El Barajneh since 1982, in coordination with the Ministry of Public Health and YMCA, in order to support both Lebanese and Palestinian refugees in the camp. According to UNRWA more than 20,000 Palestinian refugees live in the camp, though originally only 10,000 were planned to live in the one square kilo meter site. After the crisis in Syria, many Syrian refugees moved to the camp, dramatically increasing its population. The camp conditions are horrible, and many deaths are recorded every year from electrocution and collapsing buildings

Since 2014, Amel has expanded its health activities in the centre to address Syrian refugees needs, with the support of ERF (OCHA) and Medico (through a GFO funding). The centre is now providing vulnerable beneficiaries with a comprehensive primary health care package (general and specialized consultations, provision of drugs and awareness sessions).

The centre offers child protection activities for Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinian children refugees with the support of Belgium Embassy. This project includes psycho-social support, psychological consultations, “learning languages by playing” activities, awareness sessions for parents, recreational activities, community events and outreach.

Around 100 beneficiaries attend each week child protection activities, including puppet shows, songs, theater and drawings.