NUSEIRAT CAMP

Nuseirat camp is located 8 kms south of Gaza City and is named after a local Bedouin tribe. About 16,000 refugees settled in the camp after the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict, most having fled from the Beersheva area in the Negev in southern Palestine. Many were housed initially in a former British military prison (Kallaboush) and others were sheltered in tents. The poorest section of the camp is known as the "new camp" or Block J.

Part of the camp lacks a sewerage network and sewage and waste water flows in open channels along roads and pathways, as well as through agricultural lands toward Wadi Gaza, thus posing a serious health hazard. All shelters are supplied with water from Mekorot, the Israeli water company, and from private water wells.

Prior to the closure of the Gaza Strip in September 2000 most of the refugees worked as labourers in Israel or locally in agriculture. A public market is held every Monday in the camp.

FACTS AND FIGURES

• The registered refugee population is 57,120 persons;

• UNRWA operates 15 schools (9 elementary and 6 preparatory) for 18,177 enrolled pupils in 2004/2005. Only 2 schools are run in a single shift.

• The Agency's health centre, which was built in 1963, underwent extensive renovation in 1992. It is staffed by 50 health care workers assigned to morning and afternoon shifts. On average, 19,000 consultations are held there every month.

• The women’s programme centre was renovated in 1995 by UNRWA.

• A youth activities centre offers athletic, social and cultural activities.

• A community rehabilitation centre was established in 1993 in an old UNRWA feeding centre and provides rehabilitation services to about 65 refugees with disabilities. In 1999 the Government of Japan provided funding for its reconstruction.

• UNRWA provides financial and technical support to both the youth activities centre and the community rehabilitation centre.

• 2,410 families (12,328 refugees) are eligible for relief assistance under the Agency's special hardship programme.