Refugee Life

So I thought about writing a short synopsis of the conflict and what I've learned but then I realized "short" was impossible. So, I've found a decent timeline here: http://www.mideastweb.org/timeline.htm. If you have time, it takes only a few minutes to read.

Since my time here is mainly concerned with refugee health, I'll add a blurb about that - its actually not mentioned in the timeline. The war in 1948 displaced hundreds of thousands of Arabs in Palestine. They were pushed out of their homes and found themselves in refugee camps in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and within Palestine itself. Over the years, that number has grown into the millions as more people are displaced and as the camps continue to serve as a home for the original population's posterity. Furthermore, a war in 1967 displaces hundreds of thousands mjore. Most of these people are holding out within these now permanent camps for their "right to return." This right, established by international law, grants them the ability to return to their original homes and/or receive compensation. Many fear that leaving the refugee camp will be considered giving up that right, and so they stay. Nearly 4 generations have passed since that first war.

The refugee situation is, as you might imagine, a bad one. They live in tough economic situations with few resources and even fewer rights. Those in Palestine receive little help from Israel, but they are not the only ones in a predicament. Refugees in surrounding Arab countries also live without many rights. It is hard for them to leave their camps, they face tough financial situations, and they are not allowed to practice certain professions, such as being a physician or lawyer. Why? Arab countries support an independent Palestine so why do they not treat their Palestinian residents better? Many say it is because these countries fear that by giving the refugees full rights, they will permanently change the demographic of their nation - there are often more Palestinians in the area/country than natives. Palestinians are also Sunni Muslims, and would tip many Shi'a Muslim governments in their favor if given citizenship.

As you can see, its a bad situation. Refugees don't want to give up their long held right of return, but they are not given any rights as refugees. The UNRWA (United Nations Relief & Work Agency for Palestinian Refugees, pronounced "uhn-ruhwah") has set up schools, clinics, and the likes to help the refugees. This week, I am shadowing at an UNRWA clinic that service AIDA Refugee Camp in Bethlehem. They provide pre-natal care, vaccinations, ongoing care for patients with non-communicable diseases (mainly diabetes and hypertension), and sick checks for children. Healthcare for the refugees here is free but resources are waning as the UNRWA looks to make budget cuts (supposedly, the average refugee family has 6 children - that's loads of people to look after).

We had our first day in the clinic this morning, and will go back for the rest of the week before we rotate to another UNRWA clinic, then to the government hospital. I'll blog more at the end of the week to sum up my time at this particular UNRWA clinic. Stay on board!