Latakia (unofficial camp*)

The information included here predates the start of the conflict in Syria in March 2011. For more up-to-date information, please visit the Syria crisis page.

Latakia camp is an "unofficial" camp located within the city boundaries of Latakia on the Mediterranean coast.

The camp was established in 1955-1956 on an area of 0.22 square kilometres. Most of the refugees originally came from the city of Jaffa and villages in northern Palestine.

Fishing provides a small income for many refugees. They occasionally work as casual labourers in the port. Seasonal employment in the tourism sector is also common.

High humidity and erosion due to the camp's proximity to the sea have made most shelters in need of rehabilitation. UNRWA's main priority in the camp is to improve the condition of refugee shelters.

Statistics

• More than 10,000 registered refugees
• Four double-shift schools in two buildings
• One food distribution centre
• One health centre
• One women’s programme centre
• Engaging Youth project office
• Demographic profile:
  

Programmes in the camp

• Health
• Education
• Microcredit
• Social safety net
• Relief and social services
• Engaging youth project
• Healthy camp

Major problems

• Drug addiction
• Housing problems
• High unemployment rate
• Poverty
• Chronic diseases (diabetes, hypertension, cardiac and lung diseases)
• No playground, disability centre or garden

*A number of so-called unofficial refugee camps were established over time by the host governments to provide accommodation for Palestine refugees. In all respects, refugees in official and unofficial camps have equal access to UNRWA services, except that UNRWA is not responsible for solid waste collection in the unofficial camps.