Jenin Camp

Jenin camp borders the Jenin municipality and is the northernmost camp in the West Bank. It has been the scene of significant suffering. Established in 1953 after the original camp in the area was destroyed in a snowstorm, Jenin camp was also severely affected by the second intifada. In 2002, the Israeli military occupied the camp after ten days of intensive fighting, destroying more than 400 houses, severely damaging hundreds more, and displacing more than a quarter of the camp’s population.

UNRWA coordinated and implemented the reconstruction of the camp. An additional piece of land (the size of roughly 3 per cent of the original Jenin camp surface area) was developed adjacent to the camp, which reduced overcrowding.

Today, protection issues remain a primary concern for residents of Jenin camp. Both Israeli and Palestinian forces conduct regular operations in the camp that often result in clashes and violence. In 2014, four refugees were killed during these operations. The violence has also had a significant impact on the emotional and psychosocial well-being of young children especially.

Jenin also experiences one of the highest rates of unemployment and poverty among the 19 West Bank refugee camps. Many residents previously relied upon work in Israel, which has been severely curtailed since the construction of the Barrier and the implementation of the permit regime. Unemployment and poverty has affected the youth especially, resulting in widespread dissatisfaction and frustration and contributing to higher school dropout rates among younger children.

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