The First Lady of Syria, Mrs. Asma al-Assad, marked the completion of Phase I of the Neirab Rehabilitation Project in Ein el-Tal Camp, near Aleppo. Implemented by UNRWA  and GAPAR.

This first phase, jointly funded by the Governments of Syria, Canada, Switzerland and the United States, has benefited over 6,000 people. In addition to an enhanced infrastructure network, the project will provide greater access to health services and extended public areas including a kindergarten, library, physiotherapy centre and sports facilities.

'This pilot project began in 2002 with the construction of the first prototype units. Today, seven years later, we are able to celebrate not only the impressive improvement of living conditions in the camp, but also the active involvement and participation of the refugee community in this unique and unprecedented endeavor,' said Mrs. Abu Zayd.

The second phase of this project involves the reconstruction of the current camp in which open spaces will be developed for the communities' commercial and recreational use and will be a model for community participation exemplifying the involvement of the refugees in the planning and implementation of the project.

Neirab camp, located 13 kilometres east of Aleppo, is the largest in Syria. It was established between 1948-1950 on an area of 148,000 m² in and around army barracks constructed by the Allied Forces during World War II