Mikko Takkunen | Photographer

LEBANON: Nahr al-Bared

The Palestinian refugee camp of Nahr al-Bared (NBC) in northern Lebanon, near Tripoli, was destroyed almost completely in summer of 2007, during 15 weeks of fighting between Fatah al-Islam militia group and the Lebanese Army. Nearly all of the 30,000 or so refugees living in the camp had to flee to places such as the other northern refugee camp Beddawi. Half of the NBC was completely destroyed but there are very few buildings without any signs of the battle. The destruction has has made it difficult for people to return. The people nevertheless started to return during the spring of 2008. The fortunate ones, whose houses are still repairable, have returned to re-build them, whereas the more unfortunate ones live in garages, shipping containers, or prefabricated 'temporary' houses constructed in the camp by the UNRWA. The least-fortunate, of course, still remain in Beddawi camp or elsewhere as they dont' have a house to re-build or haven't been able to get any kind of temporary housing back in NBC.

Signs of utter destruction.
   
Man seen through a bullet hole from a balcony of a building destroyed during the summer 2007 conflict between Fatah al-Islam militia group and the Lebanese Army in Nahr al -Bared refugee camp.
   
A portrait of an NBC refugee, still living in Beddawi camp, whose home in Nahr al-Bared was completely destroyed during the summer 2007 fighting.
     
  
   
Signs of destruction.
   
A portrait of an NBC refugee, still living in Beddawi camp, whose home in Nahr al-Bared was completely destroyed during the summer 2007 fighting.
     
  
The NBC returnees are determined to rebuild the houses that can still be saved.
  
A man, whose NBC home was completely destroyed during 2007 conflict, but who has nevertheless returned to the camp with his family to live in a UNRWA provided garage.
   
Young man standing on the roof of his family's newly rebuilt Nahr al-Bared home.