AQABAT JABR REFUGEE CAMP

Aqabat Jabr camp is 3 kilometers southwest of Jericho, which is considered "the oldest inhabited town in the world". This camp was established in 1948 on 1,688 dunums of arid land near the Dead Sea. Prior to the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, the number of registered refugees totalled some 30,000. During and after the hostilities in 1967 most refugees fled the camp and crossed the Jordan River. Following the signing of the Cairo Agreement in 1994, the camp came under Palestinian Authority control.

Today, Aqabat Jabr has a small population of only 5,566 registered refugees. Non-refugees have moved onto camp lands and some have illegally constructed houses there.

Water scarcity is a major problem in this desert area. During the summer months the refugees usually face severe water shortages which cause tremendous hardship. UNRWA is able to provide some water to the camp by pumping it from a nearby spring. However, the Israeli water company Mekerot is the main supplier of water to the camp.

The socio-economic conditions in Aqabat Jabr are difficult. The refugees mainly work in the agricultural sector in the Jordan Valley, and in nearby Israeli settlements.

FACTS AND FIGURES

• Registered Refugee Population: 5,510
• Special hardship cases: 138 families.
• Number of families receiving emergency food rations: 617
• Number of pupils: Male: 699, Female: 698
• In 2003, two story building were added to Girls’ school including a new library; multipurpose room, computer lab, and extra class room.