The architect Patricia Muñiz, a temporary housing specialist, and Enric Roig Tió, the humanitarian coordinator of FPSC, traveled to Lebanon and Jordan from the 5th until the 16th of March, 2013. The trip made had the purpose of discussing, together with the team of FPSC Beirut and Amman, the needs of Syrian refugees. In addition to participating in several coordination meetings with agencies which are involved in emergency management Syria.
In Lebanon, where the government does not allow the establishment of refugee camps, informal settlements in the Bekaa Valley and Sidon were visited. Also, two buildings were spotted were the potential Collective Centers could be established. These centers, allowed by the Lebanese government and integrated within the strategy of “High Nations Commissioner for Refugees” (ACNUR) permits housing of hundred host families and provides basic food, health and education needs.
In Jordan, the needs assessment is focused on Za’atri refugee camp which is located in the north of the country. There, more than 150,000 Syrian refugees are sheltered. The FPSC, in coordination with other organizations, has implemented a campaign of non-food aid distribution (NFI) and is currently working on organizing new NFI distributions as well as a proposal to make toilets for field refugees accessible to the disabled.
The FPSC delegates traveled in Lebanon from the Bekaa Valley (East) towards Sidon (South), which allowed them to visualize the situation of extreme vulnerability in which the refugees live: abandoned buildings without any basic supplies (water, electricity), the poor state of shelters, tents that house entire families, etc.
As days go by, the number of refugees crossing borders into neighboring countries is exponentially increasing. UNHCR estimates that the number soon will exceed one million registered refugees. However, the number of unregistered refugees who are not receiving any assistance from the UN, is unknown. Besides this dramatic situation, it was not possible to raise the 30% of funds committed by the donor agencies.
Furthermore, the FPSC was invited to the official launch of the Fifth Regional Response Plan for Emergency Syria (RRP) ceremony held at the Grand Serail, Prime Minister’s Palace in Beirut.
In Jordan, the needs of Syrian refugees in the field of Za ‘Atri were identified. The field is located in the north of the country, about 17 km from the Syrian border. According to UNHCR data, Za’atri has reached over 150,000 refugees. Although many have left the field without warning, its population number is estimated to be 120,000. Moreover, the camp receives about 2,500 people a day. It is estimated that by the end of March Za’atri will have reached the limit of its capacity.
The FPSC has participated in camp management through non-food aid distribution (NFI) in coordination with other NGOs, as JEN or INTERSOS. In addition, the FPSC is exploring the possibility of adapting field restrooms in order to make them accessible to people with disabilities.
The living conditions in the field are very complicated. Although at the beginning it is explained to the newcomers where they have to register and which distance they need to maintain with respect to other stores to allow circulation and also for safety reasons, the refugees move their shops in order to be located within their own communities. This creates dangerous situations in case of possible fires and other emergencies. In fact, in early March 2013, there were three fires, which caused the death of a child and the hospitalization of several people.
In addition, forecasts made by the “Regional Response Plan” (RRP) until July 2013 of the refugees arrival have exceeded. UNHCR confirms a total of more than 450,000 people in Jordan, 70% of them in urban areas and 30% remaining in camps. For the next three months two scenarios are predicted. The one that is more positive anticipates the arrival of 770,000 refugees into Jordan until July 2013 and 1.2 million by year-end. The worst-case scenario raises the arrival of three million by the end of the year. If 70% of them to settle in cities and 30% in fields, this estimates that Za’atari, considering that the government can not currently open another field, is due to absorb 231,000 people. This is completely impossible, not only because of the limited space but also because it would be absolutely uncontrollable (the number of refugees in a camp should not exceed 20,000 people). In this sense it seems that the location of the other camp is more preferable. However, so far, no authorization is given by the government.
In its effort to help mitigate the consequences of this drama, the FPSC actively participates in the projects and coordinates them in the Middle East with other local and international organizations that are also working in this refugee camp. FPSC works primarily with UNHCR and UNICEF.