Refugee Camp Case Study

Refugee Camp Case Study

Zaatari’s informal market comprises of estimated 2,500 refugee-operated shops and businesses. In addition approximately 6,500 labour opportunities are provided via short term cash-for-work activities provided by community based NGOs, together with the trade in household consumption commodities. 60% of the working age refugee population earns some form of income.
Water
 3 internal boreholes in the camp provide 3.2 million litres of drinking water per day. Water distribution presently takes place via a fleet of some 82 trucks delivering water to communal public and private water tanks.
Sewage and Solid Waste
 A wastewater treatment plant treats ~80% of the wastewater generated in the camp; this wastewater is collected and transported by a fleet of sewerage trucks. Approximately 2,100m3 of sludge is collected by desluding trucks every day; 750 m3 of solid waste is collected every day and transferred to external solid waste facilities. Recycling projects involving refugees are ongoing to reduce and re-use solid waste.
Energy
 Households are connected to Zaatari’s electricity distribution network and have access to electricity 9 hours per day. UNHCR’s three-year Energy Strategy 2015-2018 will require up to 14 million USD in funding in order to provide adequate energy to refugees. A solar power plant is under development and will be operational by the end of 2017, which will cover all the energy needs of the camp at minimal operational costs.
Higher Education
 In response to limited opportunities available for the high demand from refugees wishing to access accredited tertiary and higher education – both for recent graduates of secondary school as well as students who were forced to interrupt their university studies –, partnerships are being established with educational institutions in Jordan to provide accredited skills training and academic opportunities.