Nahr al-Bared refugee camp has still not recovered from the devastating war in 2007 during which it was destroyed. The Lebanese army has been keeping a tight grip on the camp and the 20.000 displaced Palestinians that have returned so far. The army's siege seriously hampers the camp's economic recovery, as access is restricted and the area was declared a military zone. A recent survey found that the army's presence and measures are considered a difficulty by 98 per cent of Nahr al-Bared's business owners. The army meanwhile justifies its presence as necessary to the preservation of the safety of the people.
A 30-minute film documents various consequences of the siege on Nahr al-Bared. Merchants and artisans explain their specific problems and the UNRWA project manager, a project coordinator of the Palestinian-Arab Women League, the president of Nahr al-Bared's Merchants' Committee and a researcher provide their views and thoughts on the issue.
The short documentary can be watched and/or downloaded here.
The autonomous media collective 'a-films' has been documenting Nahr al-Bared's post war developments over the past two and a half years. It has published various reports and produced about a dozen short films.
Previous reports on Nahr al-Bared:
Nahr al-Bared still far from being rebuilt - March 2010
Nahr al-Bared's economic recovery hampered by military siege - January 2010
New Lebanese security approach rejected by Palestinians - January 2010
Rebellious rhymes from a destroyed refugee camp - December 2009
Refugees remain sceptical of Nahr al-Bared reconstruction - November 2009
Nahr al-Bared reconstruction delays protested - October 2009
Nahr al-Bared's reconstruction in limbo - September 2009
Shattered camp revives under military eyes - August 2009
Nahr al-Bared's forgotten 'Prime Areas' - June 2009
No Work in Nahr al-Bared - May 2009
Growing Resentment in Nahr al-Bared - May 2009
Uncertainty Clouds Nahr al-Bared's Future - October 2008
More Questions than Answers - May 2008
Who Burned Nahr al-Bared? - April 2008
The 'Humanitarian' Sidelining of Nahr al-Bared - April 2008
