عربي
Hariri during launching "Census of Population in Palestinian Camps": The report will show the reality in numbers to the whole world
NNA - Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri sponsored today at the Grand Serail, the launching of the "Comprehensive Census of Population and Housing in Palestinian Camps and Gatherings in Lebanon", prepared by the "Lebanese-Palestinian Dialogue Committee", in partnership with the Lebanese Central Administration of Statistics and the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics.
The event was attended by several ministers, MPs, ambassadors, representatives of international organizations, leaders of Palestinian factions, representatives of Palestinian civil society as well as figures from political, economic, social and media sectors.
Hariri
During the ceremony, Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri praised "this achievement that begun with his Excellency Tammam Salam", adding: "We are witnessing today the results. It is important that this project serves the Palestinians and the Palestinian cause. The whole world should be aware of how much the Palestinians are suffering in Lebanon, and how much the Lebanese are suffering too".
He added: "The presence of the Palestinians in Lebanon is welcomed, but this work emphasizes their right to return to their country. Israel is usurping the Palestinian territories, and we are witnessing the results. Hopefully when this report is ready, we will have figures that will confirm to the international community and the world the scale of the problems caused by Israel in Palestine and in Lebanon".
He praised "Minister Ola Awad, head of the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics for coming to Lebanon and participating in this conference, and former Minister Hassan Mneimneh and the Bureau of Statistics who are doing a great job to show the reality in numbers to the whole world".
He concluded: "The Lebanese underscore that the right of return cannot be discarded, because Lebanon cannot host such a large number of Palestinian refugees who have the right to return. The suffering is increasing in light of the presence of a million and a half Syrian refugees. Hence, we are eager to complete this work."
Mnaimneh
In his speech delivered at the onset of the event, the Chairman of the "Lebanese Palestinian Dialogue Committee", Dr. Hassan Mnaimneh, explained the significance of the project in terms of timing and expected results.
He indicated that the "census, the first of its kind, will provide the Lebanese State and institutions with official and comprehensive statistical data on the camps and gatherings inhabited by Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, which will help develop public policies in the future."
He added that the prevailing climate of accord in Lebanon which has jump-started the institutions "represents a favorable environment for the Lebanese first, then the Lebanese and Palestinians, to reexamine the gravity of the current Palestinian situation in Lebanon, particularly with the infiltration of extremist groups in some camps, where they exploit the poverty, marginalization and absence of State control." The LPDC Chairman considered that the census will be a solid basis for an in-depth study of the issues and problems of refugees: "We, the government institutions, can use it to implement, with our partners from brotherly and friendly countries and through the international organizations supporting Lebanon, the urgent projects needed in Palestinian camps and gatherings."
The Palestinian Bureau of Statistics
The President of the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, Ms. Ola Awad, explained in her speech that the census is part of the Lebanese and Palestinian governments' continuous efforts to improve the life and health conditions of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.
This requires an accurate and global study of the socio-economic and demographic situation of Palestinians residing in Palestinian camps and gatherings in Lebanon.
Awad finally highlighted the support shown by the Palestinian President and Authority for this project and the efforts to ensure all the requirements for its success.
The Lebanese Administration of Statistics
As for the Director General of the Lebanese Central Administration of Statistics, Dr. Maral Tutelian, she presented the stages of the census, the techniques used for information and data collection and the work methodology.
She hoped that "this census would represent an encouraging experience to drive the decision to conduct a census of all those residing on all Lebanese territories...because this provides the primary database for carrying out studies and surveys that accurately reflect the socio-economic situation in the country and allow the development of plans and implementation of measures fit to the needs of the Lebanese community."
