LEB- UNDP -Improving Living Conditions in Palestinian Gatherings

While UNRWA provides health and education services to all Palestine refugees in Lebanon, Palestinian gatherings  do  not  benefit  from   UNRWA's  basic  urban services (such as water, shelter rehabilitation and electricity services). UNRWA's mandate only provides services within the boundaries of the 12 official Palestine Refugee camps. Similarly, gatherings are generally excluded from the services provided by municipalities or public authorities, leaving the gatherings in poor living condition and at risk of further deterioration.

Due to the Syria crisis and arrival of refugees, the population in the gatherings has increased from an estimated 110,000 to approximately 140,000 people. The sudden increase in population in these already high density areas has put further strain on basic urban services and infrastructure networks as well as on hygiene and shelter conditions. This issue has affected the stability of the gatherings due to increased tensions between Palestine refugees from Syria (PRS) and host communities as well as between the gatherings and the neighbouring communities.

To improve^living conditions and enhance stability in Palestinian gatherings in Lebanon

SDC support will cover activities in 34 out of 42 gatherings in Lebanon. These 34 gatherings are located in the South and North of Lebanon and host around 115,000 people (including poor Lebanese, Palestine refugees in Lebanon (PRL) and Palestine Refugees from Syria (PRS). 45,000 of them will directly benefit from SDC's contribution. In addition, local committees, municipalities, and local NGOs active in the gatherings will benefit from the project through direct engagement and capacity building.

Outcome 1: Access to basic urban services in Palestinian Gatherings is improved through infrastructure upgrading projects and WASH interventions.

Outcome 2: Governance of service delivery in Palestinian Gatherings is improved through strengthening participation and coordination among multiple stakeholders.

Expected results:  

Output 1.1: Implement infrastructure projects and WASH interventions to enhance access to water, sewage, solid waste collection and electricity in the gatherings.

Output 1.2: Implement rehabilitation works to improve environmental and structural conditions of shelter units in the gatherings.

Output 1.3: Distribute 11,250 hygiene household and baby kits to the most vulnerable PRS households in Palestinian gatherings.

Output 2.1: Support local stakeholders to establish operation and coordination mechanisms for improved service delivery.

Output 2.2: Raise resident's awareness on viable and sustainable methods for accessing WASH.

Output 2.3: Strengthen planning and coordination at national level among organizations active in the gatherings through the Gatherings Working Group

Results from previous phases:  

• National Observatory for Palestinian gatherings established, and handed over to the Lebanese - Palestinian Dialogue Committee (LPDC).
• The report "Profiling deprivation: Analysis of the Rapid Needs Assessment in Palestinian Gatherings Host Communities" published and launched in 2014.
• A national response plan in Palestinian gatherings for 2015 developed as part of the Lebanon Crisis Response Plan (led by UNDP).
• A total of 30 basic urban services projects completed in 20 gatherings targeting 30'000 beneficiaries.
• Six municipalities supported through grants to implement basic urban services projects in Palestinian gatherings.

• Builds on previous project implemented by UNDP-UN-Habitat, UN­ Habitat shelter secondment; as well as LPDC and pending new LPDC project.
• The project is part of the Lebanon Crisis Response Plan (LCRP) 2015-2016, under the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and Shelter sectors. UNDP leads the gathering working group in Lebanon, which is a planning and coordination platform for organisations with activities in the gatherings.

Phase 1 01.10.2015 - 30.09.2018   (Completed)