Rural Damascus – Action Group
The “Child Protection Network in Palestinian Camps and Gatherings” officially launched its operations during an inaugural meeting held in the Sbeineh camp in rural Damascus. 0Representatives from 0the General Authority for Palestinian Arab 00Refugees, the 0camp’s mukhtar (headman), the reconciliation council, community organizations, and educational and social workers attended the meeting.
This meeting, considered a first step towards establishing a unified coordinating framework, aims to develop referral and response mechanisms for children’s cases and improve the quality of services provided to them and their families in Palestinian communities in Syria.
During the meeting, the network’s coordinator, Taher Wahsh, presented the network’s vision and objectives, emphasizing the need to build effective local partnerships to ensure a safe environment for children, protect their rights, and support their psychological and social well-being.
Participants discussed the initial work plan and priorities for the next phase, focusing on integrating the roles of institutions and community initiatives and enhancing local community participation in shaping protection policies.
The meeting featured extensive discussions on the most pressing challenges facing children and families, foremost among them the phenomenon of drug abuse. The importance of promoting a culture of positive parenting and integrating children with disabilities into society was also emphasized, ensuring their active participation in all aspects of life.
The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the need to move from the planning stage to implementation through the launch of joint initiatives that address actual needs. The network stressed its commitment to continuing its work in coordination with official and non-governmental organizations to develop the protection system and build a safer and more supportive environment for children in Palestinian camps and communities in Syria.
According to the official website of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), the Sbeineh camp is located 14 kilometers south of Damascus. It was established in 1948 to accommodate those displaced by the war of that year, as well as Palestinians who later fled from the Golan Heights following the 1967 Arab-Israeli conflict. The camp covers an area of 0.03 square kilometers.
The year 2013 marked a critical turning point when all 22,600 residents of the camp were displaced by internal armed clashes, resulting in its closure to civilians for nearly four years and widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure. Many families were sheltered in UNRWA shelters, while others fled the country.
With the return of refugees beginning in September 2017, UNRWA assumed responsibility for rehabilitation with donor support. By 2018, all Agency facilities had been repaired, including three schools, the Environmental Health Office, the Social Workers’ Office, the Food Distribution Center, the Health Center, and the Community Center.
The Agency also provided direct support to residents by transporting water and clearing debris from main roads and pathways to ensure safe movement and access to essential services.
As of March 2021, more than 16,000 original residents had returned to the camp, while approximately 4,000 others lived in the surrounding areas and sought access to Agency services within the camp.