Khan Younis Camp

Khan Younis refugee camp is located about two kilometers away from the Mediterranean coast, north of Rafah. It lies west of the town of Khan Younis, a major shopping centre and stop-off point on the ancient trade route to Egypt. 

Fleeing their homes during the 1948 War, Palestine Refugees took shelter in the camp. Most were from the Bir Saba’ area. Now 88,854 Palestine Refugees are registered with UNRWA in Khan Younis camp.

BLOCKADE 

Life for nearly all refugees in the camp has become increasingly difficult because of the blockade on Gaza, which has caused a dramatic deterioration of socioeconomic conditions, including ever-growing unemployment and poverty rates. Far fewer families can provide for themselves, and a staggering proportion of the population is dependent on the UNRWA food and cash assistance programme. As is the case in other camps across the Gaza Strip, basic hygiene is another big concern with 90 per cent of the camp’s water supply being unfit for human consumption. 

STATISTICS 

• 25 UNRWA installations 
• 16 school buildings accommodating 20 schools in total, of which 13 operate on a single shift system, 2 operate on double shifts, and 1 operates on triple shifts 
• Two food distribution centres, one of which is an UNRWA installation located in the western area, while the other is a rented building located in the eastern area of Khan Younis 
• Three health centres 
• Two area relief and social services offices 
• One maintenance and sanitation office 

MAJOR PROBLEMS 

• Overcrowding 
• Housing shortage 
• High unemployment 
• Access to adequate water and electricity supplies 

INFRASTRUCTURE & CAMP IMPROVEMENT 

Overcrowding and a lack of living space characterise Khan Younis camp. Shelters are built in close proximity to one another and there is a general lack of recreational and social space. In many cases, residents have had to add extra floors to their shelters to accommodate their families. Often, these lack proper design. Many live in substandard conditions. Together with the community, UNRWA has implemented some camp improvement initiatives, including the paving of some roads to facilitate the movement of refugees and people with special needs or the creation of some open spaces for recreational and social purposes.

*Last Update in July 2023.