LPDC took the lead with regard to the reconstruction and recovery plan. It coordinated efforts between UNRWA, the World Bank, UNDP, the Lebanese Government and other agencies. It also liaised with the mayors of the towns surrounding the Nahr el-Bared Camp for the preparation of the preliminary estimates of the damages in their municipalities. Constant communication was maintained with the municipality heads to evaluate the magnitude of the damages and to identify long-term development projects that can help the area recover.
A plan was conceived in June 2007 for the reconstruction of NBC and its surrounding areas, after several consultation meetings with the Lebanese Government, Palestinian NGOs and continuous coordination with UNRWA, the World Bank, Khatib & Alami, the CDR and UNDP. The reconstruction phase entailed four phases:
1. De-mining the entire area
2. Making an assessment of all the damage caused during the crisis
3. Developing a comprehensive and clear plan for rebuilding the camp
4. Devising a plan to meet the needs of IDPs
5. Preparing a Needs Assessment study in the conflict-affected areas in north Lebanon
Following the end of the crisis in August 2007, LPDC worked closely with the Lebanese Army, UNRWA and Khatib & Alami to carry out its assessment. It consisted of a preliminary field inspection of damages to the New Camp, which assessed the safety of buildings. The results of the assessment were as follows:
• Number of safe units: 2,872 lightly damaged
• Number of units that are partly unsafe: 439 (needing repair and stabilization)
• Number of units completely unsafe: 831 (needing demolition)
The Lebanese Army also conducted a damage assessment in this area of damaged properties such as vehicles and agricultural lands. All initiatives were made possible with coordination, facilitation and assistance from LPDC, UNRWA and international agencies, as well as international and local NGOs.
These organizations are working together to facilitate the reconstruction process and LPDC is at the forefront of the reconstruction planning and operations to ensure that the implementation of activities runs smoothly and efficiently.
Nahr el-Bared Camp Reconstruction and the “Three Rings”
The Recovery and Reconstruction Appeal document is the result of consultations, assessments and analyses determining the best approaches for the recovery and rebuilding process of the “three rings,” which include the Nahr el-Bared Palestinian Refugee Camp and the surrounding region.
These “three rings” of territory are depicted in the map of the Nahr el-Bared Camp and Conflict-Affected Region:
1. The “first ring” is the formal Nahr el-Bared Palestinian refugee camp
2. The “second ring” includes the conflict-affected territory just outside the camp boundary known as the New Camp, the Beddawi Camp and the six surrounding municipalities closest to the NBC
3. The “third ring” of municipalities and communities, surrounding the “second ring,” includes an area bordered by Halba in the north, Beddawi in the south, the Mediterranean to the west and the communities of Aadoui and Homeira to the east.
Recovery and Reconstruction Strategy
The Nahr el-Bared Camp constitutes an integral part of the social and economic geography of its surroundings. While much of the direct physical damage resulting from the conflict was geographically bounded within the camp proper, the recovery strategy for the camp is conceived in the context of the surrounding area that suffered the direct and indirect impacts of the battle.
The recovery and reconstruction approach outlined in the appeal document recommends coordinated activities to take place among three strategic pillars of initiatives:
1. Creating an enabling environment for recovery and reconstruction
2. Implementation of recovery and reconstruction in the Nahr el-Bared camp
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