Palestinian refugees in northern Lebanon have been waiting for more than three years for their camp to be rebuilt after it was destroyed in battles between the Lebanese Army and Islamic militants.
Palestinians in Lebanon Hold Little Hope for Reconstruction
Some refugees have jobs with the construction companies rebuilding the camp. Workers say the pay is low, and often late.
Three years after the war between the Lebanese Army and Fatah al-Islam has ended, most of the Nahr el-Bared camp remains in ruins, 05 Nov 2010
About 400 people were killed in the fighting, including soldiers, militants and civilians.
The first part of the reconstruction is almost finished, and the UN says some families might be able to return in early 2011.
Families say in the over-crowded temporary housing, their children are often sick.
This man says the international community promised to help rebuild Nahr el-Bared and then abandoned the refugees.
Mahmoud Getawi works for the construction companies. He says he doubts he will ever see the completion of the camp.
Women say the food, medicine and cash provided by the UN is never enough to provide for their families.
Residents say they have been waiting so long to return to their homes in the camp, they have little hope that it will ever be finished.
Nancy�s mother says her temporary apartment is infested with mice or rats. When she was 2-years-old, Nancy was bitten several times in the face.
The UN says without more funding, aid to Palestinian refugees displaced from the Nahr el-Bared camp will stop before the end of the year.
Many Palestinian refugees from Nahr el-Bared were born and raised in the camp. They joke that they are more likely to go back to Palestine, than to move into new homes.
Yazmine lives with her husband and four children in a single room apartment. She says her children are often sick from the stale air in the barracks.
International aid has helped build some new schools in the area surrounding what is called the �Old Camp.�