Hard Numbers

In a much publicized and internationally heralded move in August 2010, the Lebanese government passed “right to work” legislation for the country’s Palestinian refugee population. For those who thought that this would usher in a new era for the refugees and alleviate the poverty of the Palestinian community, nearing its 62nd year in exile in Lebanon, the unfortunate reality is that little has changed. While Lebanon’s economy has made gains in recent years (recent incidents notwithstanding), it is glaringly apparent that little, if any of this has reached what remains one of the country’s most disenfranchised communities. Lebanon’s 12 official Palestinian refugee camps are still mired in destitution: in south Beirut’s Shatila Camp sewage runs through the alleys, secondary school drop-outs and unemployed men in their 20s idle in the market and only a minority of homes have access to natural sunlight. While clearly visible to the eye, the poverty