Souf Camp

Souf camp was one of the six "emergency" camps set up for Palestine refugees and displaced persons who left the West Bank and Gaza Strip during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. The camp covers an area of 500,000 square metres and is situated near the famous Roman ruins of Jerash, 50 km north of Amman.

The camp was abandoned in October 1967 because of the harsh weather conditions and heavy rainfall and the inhabitants were accommodated in a tented camp in the Jordan Valley. This temporary camp was abandoned in 1968 due to an escalation in military operations in the area and the refugees and displaced persons were moved back to Souf.

The Agency's plans for providing more durable tents to withstand the harsh winters were dropped in favour of constructing prefabricated shelters, and 1,650 were constructed with special contributions from the Near East Christian Committee and the Federal Republic of Germany.

Facts and Figures

Population

• 20,142 Registered Refugees

UNRWA Education Programme

• 4 Elementary/Preparatory school for 2,901 enrolled pupils in 2008/2009.

UNRWA Relief & Social Services Programme

• 303 Families receive assistance under the Social Safety Net Programme

• One Food Distribution centre

UNRWA Health Programme

• One Health centre

NGOs

There are 11 NGOs in the camp, which organize cultural activities and run an educational enhancement programme for children.

• One Women’s Programme Centre which provides awareness and training courses in sewing, computer, beauty and kindergarten.

• One Community based Rehabilitation Centre

Public Information Office
March 2009