Lebanon: AMA responds to devastating fire at Al-Wafaa Camp for Syrian refugees

A large fire broke out in the Al Wafaa camp for Syrian refugees in Lebanon this morning, devastating many of the tents.

The fire broke out at 7.30am local time, quickly destroying over 85 tents.

The camp is home to hundreds of Syrian refugees, many of whom have already been displaced before and have experienced trauma.

Plumes of dark could be seen for miles rising from the camp.

“I woke up early as usual to go to work, when I heard the screams of women, we went out to see what was happening and saw a big fire,” one elderly woman told AMA.

“The fire spread so quickly, we had no time to save anything, we’ve lost everything,” she added.

Abed Zarror, one of AMA’s staff members on the ground, described horrific scenes.

“People are lined up in the streets now with no shelter or footwear, families are searching in the rubble for any of their papers or belongings,” he said.

Over 200 families are now in need of desperate help, as they have been left with no shelter, clothing or food.

Urgent donations are needed to rehabilitate the tents of the families, with AMA deploying teams to help those in need.

Donations can be made online or by calling AMA offices, citing the reference Al Wafa camp