JALAZONE REFUGEE CAMP

Jalazone camp was established in 1949 on 253 dunums of rocky hillside 7 kilometers north of Ramallah. Most of the original refugees came from Lydda and villages in the central part of Palestine following the 1948 hostilities.

Today, while many of the camp's residents still find employment in Israel, unemployment has risen in recent years due to the closure imposed by the Israeli authorities on the West Bank in 1993. The camp is situated in "zone B" under joint Palestinian/Israeli control.

Many of the camp's roads and pathways are unsurfaced and are in serious need of repair. PECDAR and the World Bank, in cooperation with the camp committee, are in the process of surfacing the roads and alleys.

The lack of a sewerage system poses a serious health and environmental hazard for both the camp's residents and the residents of nearby Jifna village. UNRWA has recently finalized a project proposal and a feasibility study to establish a sewerage network in the camp.

UNRWA upgraded the boys' school in the camp in 1995 with contributions from the Government of Saudi Arabia. An additional eight classrooms were constructed in the girls' school in 1997 with contributions from the Government of Germany.

During the intifadah, the camp was particularly active. At least 12 youths were shot dead during clashes with the Israeli army or Israeli settlers passing on the main Ramallah-Nablus road above the camp. Despite developments in the Middle East peace process, the situation in the camp has remained unchanged in terms of security incidents, and arrests and clashes still take place. In 1997, the Israeli army reinstalled a fence surrounding the camp to prevent potential stone throwing against passing Israeli cars.

FACTS AND FIGURES

• Registered Refugee Population: 10390.
• Special hardship cases: 297 families.
• Number of families receiving emergency food rations: 1373
• Number of pupils: Male: 1104, female: 1135

A new rehabilitation center for the handicapped was opened. Alkarameh Rehabilitation Center. They carry out different social activities in coordination with The Youth Program Center and Women Program Center.

UNRWA already assisted 15 families to adjust their houses to meet handicapped needs.