alBarajneh

Burj el-Barajneh, commonly transliterated as Burj al-Barajneh and also known as al-Barajneh, is a Palestinian refugee camp and surrounding neighborhood in the southern outskirts of Beirut, Lebanon. The camp is one of UNRWA’s recognized refugee settlements in the country and lies within the broader area known locally as Dahieh, near Beirut’s southern suburbs.

History and status: The settlement began to house Palestinian refugees displaced by the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict and expanded over subsequent decades. During Lebanon’s civil conflict and continuing political upheavals, the area experienced periods of violence and displacement. Residents rely on UNRWA and other aid for essential services such as education, healthcare, and social programs.

Population and life: The camp hosts a large population of Palestinian refugees and their descendants. Population figures vary and are difficult to verify, but the camp and adjacent housing are densely populated. Palestinians in Lebanon face legal and social restrictions that affect property ownership, employment, and civil rights, which shapes daily life in Burj el-Barajneh.

Facilities and economy: The area contains schools, clinics, mosques, and community organizations, along with markets and small shops. UNRWA operates several schools and health clinics in the camp, while many residents depend on informal labor and cross-border trade. Infrastructure and public services are strained by high density and poverty.

Overall, Burj el-Barajneh remains a core site of Palestinian community life in Lebanon and a focal point for urban and political dynamics in Beirut’s southern suburbs.