Al Yassamin refugee camp: AMA delivers emergency aid after fire engulfs Lebanon refugee camp

A fire which broke out on 12 August has engulfed the Al Yassamin refugee camp in the west Beqaa region of Lebanon.

The camp, which is home to predominantly Syrian refugees who have previously faced displacement and loss has been largely damaged, with people losing their homes and all of their belongings.

Over 12 tents have been fully destroyed in the fire, with the families left without any shelter or personal belongings.

The camp is home to many children that AMA has sponsored to attend the Aman School of Excellence, and who visited South Africa in 2022 to share their experiences and raise awareness of the conditions of the camp.

AMA has responded by delivering emergency assistance to the residents of the camp, including bottles of water and hot food.

Hussain Choonara, AMA’s regional director says that families have been evacuated from the camp. 

“The need for these families right now is mainly shelter, they need tents and mattresses and living essentials,” he explained. 

“Food is another major need, as people lost everything in the fire. Many of the children who attend the Aman School of Excellence have lost their uniform, equipment and all of their belongings, he added.”

Over 2,100 hot meals, bread and water bottles have been distributed to the families affected and residents of the camp in the hours following the outbreak of the fire by AMA.

“We woke up in the morning, saw there was a fire and started crying,” Zainab, a young resident of the camp said. 

“We were worried it would come closer to us, everything has been burned and I’m so sad, I hope things go back to how they were before,” she added. 

AMA is accepting emergency donations for the tragedy, with funds going towards rebuilding their homes and securing essentials for those affected.