Rafah Refugee Camp:

Rafah camp is a Palestinian refugee camp in Rafah Governorate. It was established in 1949 and currently forms part of the city of Rafah.

Where is Rafah Camp Located?

Rafah refugee camp is located in the south of Gaza Strip, near and on the Egyptian border. The camp was established in 1949. At that time, it was one of the most densely populated of the eight refugee camps of the Gaza Strip.

Over the year, thousands of refugees moved from the camp to a nearby housing project at Tel El-Sultan, making the camp almost indistinguishable from the adjacent city.

Originally home to 41,000 refugees who had fled from the hostilities of the 1948 war, Rafah is now home to almost 99,000 refugees. High population density is a major problem, with people living in crowded shelters along extremely narrow streets.

The blockade of Gaza has led to increased unemployment, and residents lack access to adequate drinking water and electricity. It has also intensified problems associated with high population density and infrastructure maintenance.

No construction or rebuilding of infrastructure or shelters can take place while the ban on importing construction materials remains in force.

About Rafah Camp

• Almost 99,000 UNRWA registered refugees
• 34 schools, in 23 buildings. 17 buildings run on double shifts
• One food distribution centre
• One health centre