Beach camp

The third largest of the Gaza Strip’s eight refugee camps – and one of the most crowded – Beach refugee camp is known locally as "Shati". The camp is on the Mediterranean coast in the Gaza City area.

Beach refugee camp initially accommodated 23,000 refugees who fled from Lydd, Jaffa, Be’er Sheva and other areas of Palestine. The camp is now home to more than 84,077 refugees, who all reside in an area of only 0.52 square kilometres.

Streets and alleys in the camp are often very narrow and the area is considered among the most densely populated in the world

Blockade

Unemployment has risen considerably since the blockade was imposed on Gaza, making life more difficult for most refugees in Beach camp. Far fewer families can provide for themselves and a huge proportion of the population is dependent food and cash assistance provided by UNRWA. 

At the same time, the ban on entry of cement and gravel has made it impossible for refugees to build or repair shelters. Basic hygiene is also of great concern, as 90 per cent of the water is unfit for human consumption.

Fishing limit

The Israel Defense Forces’ imposition of a three-mile fishing limit has particularly affected Beach camp. The diminished fishing catch has led to lost livelihoods and increased poverty.

Major challenges

High unemployment rates, overcrowdedness, power cuts and an unstable electricity supply, a contaminated water supply and lack of construction materials are some of the more pressing challenges facing Beach camp residents.