To Take Part in Refugee Camp Support

Since the beginning of November, we have become the member of JEN and have been working in Za’atari refugee camp as field assistants. At first, we were shocked by restrictions on water usage and minimal environmental hygiene. Even now, we learn a lot of things every day.

Our main job is to secure appropriate environmental hygiene by improving access to the water sanitary facility. We monitor water distribution situation every day and keep our eyes on to make sure that each person could receive 35 litters of clean water.

Another important work is to monitor and retain the public water sanitary facility. Infrastructure of Za’atari refugee camp is improving gradually. We are retaining this by cooperating with the members of the community. Right now is a transitional period for public water sanitary facility to be set up to each home; however, this is because public facilities are still in use, it is necessary to maintain the good condition.

Furthermore, to prevent the spread of disease in the camp as the environmental hygiene is low compare to its high density of the population, we are delivering hygiene promotion message aiming to strengthen people’s knowledge. We make house-to-house visits, do group sessions and do hygiene promotion events in some cases. We do cleaning activities with the members of the community every month. These activities are good opportunities to promote the whole camp community to make an effort to create healthy environment by themselves. Believing that they will gain power to become independent in the future, JEN recommend participation of activities. These activities include those of water and health committee which retain facilities and community hygiene promoter who provide hygiene promotion activities.

<The look of hygiene promotion activity associated with World Toiled Day>

Currently, we are expecting that flood caused by heavy rain and snow in winter will occur again from our past experiences so, we are discussing about the contingency plan. In the meantime, to make people recognize that all the residents in the camp have responsibilities to their own households, we are sending message to call attention to each households.

Recently, we heard difficulty of using freezingly cold water from the people in the area. We want to respond to their needs in the field by setting work priorities and working with related organizations as a team.

Looking back over the past three years, the camp seems to have become more stabilized, but nobody knows how long their life in the camp will be. We want to work hard to create a better environment for them.

We want to implement ‘Lessons learnt’ from our past experiences to support them efficiently.

Maja & Fares

<Maja and children>

<Fares monitoring water sanitary facility>

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