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DHEISHEH REFUGEE CAMP
Dheisheh camp was established in 1949 within the municipal
boundaries of Bethlehem on 430 dunums. The camp's residents were
particularly active during the intifadah. The Israeli
authorities built a fence around the camp and a metal turnstile for
the main entrance, which were in place for almost eight years to
prevent stone throwing at passing Israeli cars on the main
Jerusalem-Hebron road. In 1995, the camp came under Palestinian
Authority control, and the fence has since been removed.
In 1995, the camp residents established a camp committee which is
now one of the most active committees in the West Bank refugee camps.
In 1996, the committee organized a "telethon" under the
sponsorship of a popular Palestinian Legislative Council member, and
was able to collect at least 600 tons of asphalt and $20,000 for
surfacing the camp's roads and alleys. Dheisheh was the first camp in
the West Bank to sign a twinning agreement with the French town of
Montitueir in 1991/1992. Ibdaa' (Innovation), the camp's cultural
centre, promotes cultural activities through its 60-strong children's
folkloric dance troupe. The children's troupe has toured and performed
in numerous countries, including France and Greece. Ibdaa' is
currently building a guest house at the entrance to the camp.
In 1997, UNRWA constructed and equipped a new girls' school with
contributions from USAID.
FACTS AND FIGURES
- Registered Refugee Population: 12,045.
- Special hardship cases: 301 families.
- Number of damaged shelters that have been affected due to the IDF
incursions in the West Bank since the beginning of the Intifada
till March 2004: 26 in which 25 were assisted.
- Number of families receiving emergency food rations: 1375
- Number of pupils: Male: 1300, female: 1400
- A new physiotherapy center was established in lie of the old
supplement feeding center.
Figures as of 31 March 2005
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