Amman New Camp

Amman New camp, known locally as Wihdat, was one of four camps set up after 1948 to accommodate Palestine refugees who were displaced from Palestine by the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. The camp was established in 1955 on an area of 0.48 square kilometres, southeast of Amman.

The refugees were initially housed in 1,400 shelters constructed by UNRWA. In 1957, the Agency built 1,260 additional shelters. Over the years, residents added more rooms to improve their shelters and the camp has grown into an urban-like quarter surrounded by areas of high population density.

UNRWA installations in the camp provide services both for the refugees residing in the camp and for those living in its surroundings. In addition to 13 schools and one health centre, the camp houses one community-based rehabilitation centre, one women’s programme centre, one environmental health office and one camp services office.

Amman New camp is very overcrowded. Kiosks and haphazard stalls add to the disorganization on crowded streets.

MAJOR CHALLENGES

According to a 2013 Fafo Foundation report, Amman New camp is ranked second of the ten camps in terms of poverty with 34 per cent of Palestine refugees reportedly having an income below the national poverty line of JD 814. The camp is ranked second of the ten camps in female unemployment, standing at 24 per cent. Of the ten Palestine refugee camps in Jordan, Amman New camp exhibits the highest incidence of severe chronic health problems at 8 per cent. Moreover, 66 per cent of Palestine refugees in Amman New camp do not have health insurance.

In addition to poverty and unemployment, residents of the camp have to contend with over crowdedness, including the absence of green areas and open play spaces. Many shelters are in a bad state of repair and need rehabilitation.