- Mar Elias camp was founded in 1952 by the Congregation of St. Elias to host Palestine refugees from the Galilee region of Palestine.
- Its area is about 200 sq meters and it is inhabited by Palestine refugees, as well as a large non-Palestinian population.
Mar Elias Camp
Mar Elias camp is located to the south-west of Beirut, founded in 1952 by the Congregation of St. Elias to host Palestine Refugees who arrived from the Galilee region. Its area is about 200 sq metres and is inhabited by Palestine Refugees, as well as a large non-Palestinian population.
The Palestinian population currently living in Mar Elias camp is comprised of people who have had different migratory experiences, whether internal displacement because of war or other forms of internal migration (e.g. economic opportunity, the rental market, geographical location, etc.). These days, only a few Christian Palestine Refugee families reside in the camp.
The ongoing Syria crisis has also led to the additional presence of Syria refugees and Palestine Refugees from Syria (PRS) in the camp.
Security and governance in the camp are the responsibility of Popular Committees and Palestinian factions.
Last updated July 2023.
For more information about Mar Elias Camp (click here).
REFUGEE CAMPS IN Lebanon
We provide services in 12 Palestine refugee camps in Lebanon. UNRWA does not administer or police the camps, as this is the responsibility of the host authorities.
Quick Facts
Official camps
Unrwa In Mar Elias Camp
Schools
- There is one school in Mar Elias camp. Kabri Elementary School is co-educational and comprises more than 230 students.
Health Centre
- There is one health centre in Mar Elias that provides primary health care to the camp’s residents. The centre is visited by an average of 50 patients per day.
Social Safety Net Beneficiaries
- A core focus for social protection is providing Social Safety Net (SSN) support to the most vulnerable Palestine Refugees. Assistance is issued quarterly to more than 28 families (118 individuals) in the camp.
