Achievements: more than 640 houses rehabilitated

    Despite harsh Israeli occupation methods in the Old City, the HRC was able to accomplish record achievements under very difficult circumstances. The number of inhabitants has increased. Hundreds of residential apartments have been restored. Furthermore, some commercial marketplaces, streets and roads have also been rehabilitated and parts of the urban architectural fabric have been rebuilt using traditional means and materials, and local labor.

      Breathing life back into the Old city takes more than mere restoration and preservation of the buildings. It requires caring for the people who dwell there by creating a host of facilities and public services thus encouraging them to return and remain in the Old City: renting restored houses for free, exempting Old City residents from paying water, power consumption fees or income taxes.

      A major problem in the area is the high rate of unemployment, so the Committee gives preference to the residents in H2 area when recruiting workers, generating hundreds of direct and indirect job opportunities (for both skilled and unskilled labourers). It is worth noting that most workers receive practical training in restoration techniques and that wages represent 60% of restoration costs.

      In addition, HRC looks after the humanitarian aspects of life in Hebron Old City in terms of health, education, entertainment, social, and financial aids. The residents of the area receive free health insurance and the Old City clinic has been rehabilitated by the Committee.

      Several schools were renovated, a kids' library has been created, and childrens’ entertainment is also provided by the kids playground and the Friendship public garden, which was created by HRC. The garden, besides being an entertainment resource in its self, is used by local and international NGOs to organize different cultural activities for Hebron Old City residents, with the support of HRC.

       The harsh consequences of the Israeli occupation are evident in the huge socio-economic situation in the Old City. The Committee follows up the many issues that families are facing through its social Guidance Center, where the social workers look after the problems, providing solutions or directing people to suitable organizations. The Committee provides food and financial assistances through different channels; by food deliverance programs in cooperation with aid organizations, by organizing job creation projects in order to hire and employ unemployed inhabitants of the Old City, or in certain cases, giving salaries to families living in very critical locations.