View source for Palestinian refugee camps

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'''Palestinian refugee camps''' were first established to accommodate [[Palestinians]] who were displaced by the [[1948 Palestinian expulsion and flight]] during the [[1948 Palestine war]].<ref>{{cite web|title= Israel-Palestine war: A brief history of refugee camps in Gaza|url= https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-palestine-war-brief-history-refugee-camps-gaza|website=Middle East Eye|date=19 December 2023|last=MacDonald|first=Alex|access-date=17 June 2025}}</ref> Camps were established by the [[United Nations Relief and Works Agency]] (UNRWA) in [[Jordan]], [[Lebanon]], [[Syria]], the [[West Bank]] and the [[Gaza Strip]]. A subsequent wave of Palestinian refugees were created in the [[Naksa]] after the [[Six-Day War]] in 1967.<ref>[[UNWRA]], [http://www.unrwa.org/etemplate.php%3Fid%3D86 Palestine refugees]</ref>

There are 68 Palestinian refugee camps in total, 58 official and 10 unofficial,<ref name=UNRWA2019>[https://www.un.org/unispal/document/unrwa-annual-operational-report-2019-for-the-reporting-period-01-january-31-december-2019/ UNRWA Annual Operational report 2019 for the Reporting period 01 January – 31 December 2019], pages 168-169, "Infrastructure and Camp Improvement Statistics"</ref> ten of which were established after the Six-Day War while the others were established in 1948 to 1950s.

Only a third of registered Palestinian refugees live within the boundaries of the refugee camps.<ref name=UNWRA2004table3/> Most have integrated socially and economically outside the camps.<ref name=Hanafi/> Many live in adjacent geographic areas.<ref>[https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/survey2016-2018-eng.pdf BADIL Refugee Survey 2016-18], page 29, 34, 35</ref>

The number of registered Palestine refugees grew from 750,000 in 1950 to around 5 million in 2013.<ref name="WhoWeAre">{{cite web |url=http://www.unrwa.org/who-we-are |title=Who We Are - UNRWA |publisher=[[United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East|UNRWA]] |access-date=8 January 2014}}</ref>

==History==

<gallery mode="packed" heights="180px">

File:Nahr al-Bared refugee camp 1952.webp|[[Nahr al-Bared refugee camp]] in Lebanon, 1952

File:Shatila - street view (3).jpg|[[Shatila refugee camp]] on the outskirts of [[Beirut]] in 2019

</gallery>

===Role of  UNRWA===

UNRWA's mandate is to provide assistance to Palestinian refugees, including access to its refugee camps. For this purpose, it defines Palestinian refugees as "persons whose normal place of residence was Palestine during the period 1 June 1946 to 15 May 1948, and who lost both home and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 conflict."<ref name="WhoWeAre"/>

UNRWA also extends assistance to the patrilineal descendants of such refugees, as well as their legally adopted children.<ref name="WhoWeAre"/>

[[File:ShufatCampJuly142023 05.jpg|thumb|[[Shu'fat Camp]] in the city of [[Jerusalem]], 2023. The official area of the camp is in the center of the image and is characterized by low-rise buildings; on either side of the camp are additional Palestinian neighborhoods located beyond the [[Israeli West Bank barrier]] (visible at the bottom of the image), where the buildings are taller.]]

[[File:Nabatieh Camp before and after.jpg|thumb|right|[[Nabatieh refugee camp]] before and after its destruction by the Israeli military in 1974]]

For a camp to be recognized by UNRWA, there must be an agreement between the host government and UNRWA governing use of the camp. UNRWA does not itself run any camps, has no police powers or administrative role, but simply provides services to the camp.  UNRWA recognizes facilities in 58 designated [[refugee camp]]s in [[Jordan]], [[Lebanon]], [[Syria]], the [[West Bank]] and the [[Gaza Strip]], and it also provides facilities in other areas where large numbers of registered Palestine refugees live outside of recognized camps. UNRWA also provided relief to Jewish [[Present absentee|displaced persons]] inside [[Israel]] following the 1948 conflict until the Israeli government took over responsibility for them in 1952. Refugee camps developed from tented cities to rows of concrete blockhouses to urban ghettos indistinguishable from their surroundings (effectively becoming urban developments within existing cities or by themselves), that house around one third of all registered Palestine refugees.

The [[UNRWA#Funding|Funding for UNRWA]] activities comes almost entirely from voluntary contributions from UN member states. UNRWA also receives some funding from the Regular Budget of the United Nations, which is used mostly for international staffing costs.<ref name="WhoWeAre"/>

==List of camps==
The camps are divided between five regions:
* Gaza Strip: The [[Gaza Strip]] has eight official and no unofficial refugee camps,<ref name=UNRWA2019/> and 1,221,110 registered refugees.
* West Bank: The [[West Bank]] has 19 official and four unofficial refugee camps,<ref name=UNRWA2019/> and 741,409 registered refugees.
* Syria: [[Syria]] has nine official refugee camps and three unofficial refugee camps,<ref name=UNRWA2019/> and 499,189 registered refugees.
* Lebanon: There are 12 official refugee and no unofficial camps in [[Lebanon]],<ref name=UNRWA2019/> and 448,599 registered refugees.
* Jordan: There are 10 official and three unofficial refugee camps in [[Jordan]],<ref name=UNRWA2019/> and 2,034,641 registered refugees.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Name !! Founded !! Location !! Status !! Coordinates !! data-sort-type=number | Population !! data-sort-type=number | Area (km<sup>2</sup>) !! data-sort-type=number | Density (pop/km<sup>2</sup>) !! Comments !! Refs
|-
! [[Yarmouk Camp|Yarmouk]]
| 1957 || Syria || Unofficial || {{coord|33|28|27|N|36|18|11|E|region:SY}} || n.a. || 2.1 || n.a. || Largely destroyed (was 160,000 population) || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/syria/yarmouk-unofficial-camp UNRWA Yarmouk Camp]</ref>
|-
! [[Rafah Camp|Rafah]]
| 1949 || Gaza Strip || UNRWA || {{coord|31|16|58.87|N|34|15|11.52|E|region:PS}} || 125,304 || n.a. || n.a. ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/gaza-strip/rafah-camp UNRWA Rafah Camp]</ref>
|-
! [[Baqa'a refugee camp|Baqa'a]]
| 1968 || Jordan || UNRWA || {{coord|32|04|25|N|35|50|35|E|region:JO}} || 119,000 || 1.4 || 85,000 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/jordan/baqaa-camp UNRWA Baqa'a refugee camp]</ref>
|-
! [[Jabalia Camp|Jabalia]]
| 1948 || Gaza Strip || UNRWA || {{coord|31|32|20.81|N|34|29|57.63|E|region:PS}} || 113,990 || 1.4 || 81,421 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/gaza-strip/jabalia-camp UNRWA Jabalia Camp]</ref>
|-
! [[Khan Yunis Camp|Khan Yunis]]
| 1949 || Gaza Strip || UNRWA || {{coord|31|21|3|N|34|17|18|E|region:PS}} || 87,816 || 0.549 || 159,956 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/gaza-strip/khan-younis-camp UNRWA Khan Yunis Camp]</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.un.org/unrwa/refugees/gaza/khanyounis.html |title=UNRWA: Refugee camp profiles: Gaza field office |website=www.un.org |access-date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060227195322/http://www.un.org/unrwa/refugees/gaza/khanyounis.html |archive-date=27 February 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
! [[Al-Shati Camp|Al-Shati]] (Beach camp)
| 1948 || Gaza Strip || UNRWA || {{coord|31|31|55.91|N|34|26|43.42|E|region:PS}} || 85,628 || 0.52 || 164,669 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/gaza-strip/beach-camp UNRWA Al-Shati Camp]</ref>
|-
! [[Nuseirat Camp|Nuseirat]]
| 1949 || Gaza Strip || UNRWA || {{coord|31|26|51.56|N|34|23|34.35|E|region:PS}} || 80,194 || n.a. || n.a. ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/gaza-strip/nuseirat-camp UNRWA Nuseirat Camp]</ref>
|-
! [[Ain al-Hilweh]]
| 1948 || Lebanon || UNRWA || {{coord|33|32|37|N|35|22|41|E|region:TH}} || 59,660 || 0.3 || 198,867 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/lebanon/ein-el-hilweh-camp UNRWA Ain al-Hilweh]</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nyidanmark.dk/-/media/Files/US/Landerapporter/Factfindingmission_Lebanon_1998.pdf?la=en-GB&hash=E4C43FEDE9F92ED581945E636DD2B84B01FEB97E|title=Report on fact-finding mission to Lebanon 2 – 18 May 1998|date=1 June 1998|website=newtodenmark.dk|publisher=The [[Danish Immigration Service]]|format=PDF|access-date=27 April 2020}}</ref>
|-
! [[Al-Wehdat refugee camp]] (Amman New Camp)
| 1955 || Jordan || UNRWA || {{coord|31|55|35|N|35|56|18|E|region:JO}} || 57,000 || 0.48 || 118,750 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/jordan/amman-new-camp UNRWA Al-Wehdat refugee camp]</ref>
|-
! [[Marka refugee camp|Marka]]
| 1968 || Jordan || UNRWA || {{coord|32|00|33|N|36|01|14|E|type:city_region:JO}} || 53,000 || 0.92 || 57,609 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/jordan/marka-camp UNRWA Marka refugee camp]</ref>
|-
! [[Jaramana camp|Jaramana]]
| 1948 || Syria || UNRWA || {{coord|33|29|N|36|21|E|region:SY}} || 49,000 || 0.03 || 1,633,333 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/syria/jaramana-camp UNRWA Jaramana]</ref>
|-
! [[Latakia Camp|Latakia]]
| 1955–6 || Syria || Unofficial || {{coord|35|30|28|N|35|47|45|E|type:landmark_region:SY}} || 47,400 || 0.22 || 215,455 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/syria/latakia-unofficial-camp UNRWA Latakia Camp]</ref>
|-
! [[Bureij]]
| 1949 || Gaza Strip || UNRWA || {{coord|31|26|22.31|N|34|24|10.58|E|region:PS}} || 43,330 || 0.529 || 81,909 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/gaza-strip/bureij-camp UNRWA Bureij]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.un.org/unrwa/refugees/gaza/bureij.html |title=UNRWA: Refugee camp profiles: Gaza field office |work=UNRWA |access-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-date=June 24, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070624022059/http://www.un.org/unrwa/refugees/gaza/bureij.html |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>
|-
! [[Rashidieh]]
| 1963 || Lebanon || UNRWA || {{coord|33|14|12.12|N|35|13|5.16|E}} || 34,584 || 0.25 || 138,336 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/lebanon/rashidieh-camp UNRWA Rashidieh]</ref><ref name=":0" />
|-
! [[Jabal el-Hussein camp|Jabal el-Hussein]]
| 1952 || Jordan || UNRWA || {{coord|31|57|52|N|35|54|23|E|type:edu}} || 32,000 || 0.42 || 76,190 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/jordan/jabal-el-hussein-camp UNRWA Al-Abdali]</ref>
|-
! [[Maghazi (camp)|Maghazi]]
| 1949 || Gaza Strip || UNRWA || {{coord|31|25|16.89|N|34|23|07.35|E|region:PS}} || 31,329 || 0.6 || 52,215 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/gaza-strip/maghazi-camp UNRWA Maghazi (camp)]</ref>
|-
! [[Jerash camp|Jerash]]
| 1968 || Jordan || UNRWA || {{coord|32|16|20.21|N|35|53|29.03|E|region:JO,inline}} || 29,000 || 0.75 || 38,667 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/jordan/jerash-camp UNRWA Jerash]</ref>
|-
! [[Irbid camp|Irbid]]
| 1951 || Jordan || UNRWA || {{coord|32|33|0|N|35|51|0|E|region:JO_type:city(292040)}} || 28,000 || 0.24 || 116,667 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/jordan/irbid-camp UNRWA Irbid]</ref>
|-
! [[Balata Camp|Balata]]
| 1950 || West Bank || UNRWA || {{coord|32|12|N|35|17|E}} || 27,000 || 0.25 || 108,000 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/west-bank/balata-camp UNRWA Balata]</ref>
|-
! [[Deir al-Balah Camp|Deir al-Balah]]
| 1948 || Gaza Strip || UNRWA || {{coord|31|25|33|N|34|20|26|E|region:PS}} || 25,569 || 0.16 || 159,806 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/gaza-strip/deir-el-balah-camp UNRWA Deir al-Balah Camp]</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.un.org/unrwa/refugees/gaza/deirelbalah.html |title=UNRWA: Refugee camp profiles: Gaza field office |website=www.un.org |access-date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060131073053/http://www.un.org/unrwa/refugees/gaza/deirelbalah.html |archive-date=31 January 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
! [[Husn Camp|Husn]] (Martyr Azmi el-Mufti camp)
| 1968 || Jordan || UNRWA || {{coord|32|28|30|N|35|54|18|E|region:JO}} || 25,000 || 0.77 || 32,468 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/jordan/husn-camp UNRWA Husn Camp]</ref>
|-
! [[Burj el-Shamali]]
| 1955 || Lebanon || UNRWA || {{coord|33|15|47|N|35|14|20|E}} || 24,929 || 0.134 || 186,037 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/lebanon/burj-shemali-camp UNRWA Burj el-Shemali]</ref><ref name=":0" />
|-
! [[Shu'fat camp]]
| 1965 || West Bank || UNRWA || {{coord|31|48|44|N| 35|14|47|E|source:wikidata}} || 24,000 || 0.2 || 120,000 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/west-bank/shufat-camp UNRWA Shu'fat camp]</ref>
|-
! [[Qabr Essit]]
| 1967 || Syria || UNRWA || {{coord|33|26|50|N|36|20|10|E|region:SY}} || 23,700 || 0.02 || 1,185,000 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/syria/qabr-essit-camp UNRWA Qabr Essit]</ref>
|-
! [[Tulkarm Camp|Tulkarm]]
| 1950 || West Bank || UNRWA || {{coord|32|18|51|N|35|2|4|E}} || 21,500 || 0.18 || 119,444 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/west-bank/tulkarm-camp UNRWA Tulkarm Camp]</ref>
|-
! [[Beddawi refugee camp|Beddawi]]
| 1955 || Lebanon || UNRWA || {{coord|34|27|0.64|N|35|52|9.17|E}} || 21,252 || 0.2 || 106,260 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/lebanon/beddawi-camp UNRWA Beddawi refugee camp]</ref><ref name=":0" />
|-
! [[Zarqa camp|Zarqa]]
| 1949 || Jordan || UNRWA || {{coord|32|05|N|36|06|E}} || 20,000 || 0.18 || 111,111 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/jordan/zarqa-camp UNRWA Zarqa]</ref>
|-
! [[Bourj el-Barajneh camp|Bourj el-Barajneh]]
| 1948 || Lebanon || UNRWA || {{coord|33|50|54|N|35|30|12|E|region:LB}} || 19,539 || 0.104 || 187,875 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/lebanon/burj-barajneh-camp UNRWA Bourj el-Barajneh]</ref><ref name=":0" />
|-
! [[Souf Camp|Souf]]
| 1967 || Jordan || UNRWA || {{coord|32|18|30|N|35|53|7.37|E|type:city_region:IL}} || 19,000 || 0.5 || 38,000 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/jordan/souf-camp UNRWA Souf Camp]</ref>
|-
! [[Askar (camp)|Askar]]
| 1950 || West Bank || UNRWA || {{coord|32|13|11.51|N|35|17|50.77|E|region:PS}} || 18,500 || 0.119 || 155,462 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/west-bank/askar-camp UNRWA Askar (camp)]</ref>
|-
! [[Al-Nayrab camp|Al-Nayrab]]
| 1948 || Syria || UNRWA || {{coord|36|10|32|N|37|13|40|E|region:SY}} || 18,000 || 0.15 || 120,000 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/syria/neirab-camp UNRWA Al-Nayrab]</ref>
|-
! [[Dheisheh]]
| 1949 || West Bank || UNRWA || {{coord|31|41|38.47|N|35|11|02.96|E|region:PS}} || 15,000 || 0.33 || 45,455 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/west-bank/dheisheh-camp UNRWA Dheisheh]</ref>
|-
! [[Qalandia Camp|Qalandia]]
| 1949 || West Bank || UNRWA || {{coord|33|19|55|N|36|19|56|E|region:SY}} || 14,800 || 0.42 || 35,238 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/west-bank/kalandia-camp UNRWA Kalandia Camp]</ref>
|-
! [[Al-Hassan camp|Al-Hassan]]
| 1967 || Jordan || Unofficial ||  {{coord|31|57|27|N| 35|58|19|E|region:PS}}  || 14,068 || n.a. || n.a. ||  || <ref name="BADIL Refugee Survey 2016-18">[https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/survey2016-2018-eng.pdf BADIL Refugee Survey 2016-18], pages 30-33</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Palestinian Refugees and Displaced Camps in Jordan: Prince Hassan Camp |url=https://dpa.gov.jo/EN/ListDetails/Palestinian_Refugees_And_Displaced_Camps_in_Jordan/2095/12 |website=dpa.gov.jo |access-date=2 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=al-Husseini |first1=Jalal |title=The Evolution of the Palestinian Refugee Camps in Jordan. Between Logics of Exclusion and Integration |url=https://books.openedition.org/ifpo/1742?lang=en |series=Villes, pratiques urbaines et construction nationale en Jordanie |publisher=Presses de l’Ifpo |access-date=2 January 2024 |pages=181–204 |language=en |date=13 February 2013|isbn=978-2-35159-315-8 }}</ref>
|-
! [[Jenin Camp|Jenin]]
| 1953 || West Bank || UNRWA || {{coord|32|27|41|N|35|17|11|E}} || 14,000 || 0.42 || 33,333 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/west-bank/jenin-camp UNRWA Jenin Camp]</ref>
|-
! [[Jalazone]]
| 1949 || West Bank || UNRWA || {{coord|31|57|07.15|N|35|12|41.58|E|region:PS}} || 13,000 || 0.253 || 51,383 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/west-bank/jalazone-camp UNRWA Jalazone]</ref>
|-
! [[Al-Sabinah camp|Al-Sabinah]]
| 1948 || Syria || UNRWA || {{coord|33|26|2|N|36|17|8|E|region:SY}} || 13,000 || 0.03 || 433,333 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/syria/sbeineh-camp UNRWA Al-Sabinah]</ref>
|-
! [[Homs Camp|Homs]]
| 1949 || Syria || UNRWA || {{coord|34|42|30.29|N|36|42|26.62|E|region:SY_type:city}} || 13,000 || 0.15 || 86,667 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/syria/homs-camp UNRWA Homs Camp]</ref>
|-
! [[Khan Danoun camp|Khan Danoun]]
| 1950 || Syria || UNRWA || {{coord|33|19|55|N|36|19|56|E|region:SY}} || 12,650 || 0.03 || 421,667 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/syria/khan-dunoun-camp UNRWA Khan Dannun]</ref>
|-
! [[El-Buss refugee camp|El Buss]]
| 1948 || Lebanon || UNRWA || {{coord|33|16|21|N|35|12|36|E}} || 12,281 || 0.08 || 153,513 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/lebanon/el-buss-camp UNRWA El-Buss refugee camp]</ref><ref name=":0" />
|-
! [[Al-Arroub (camp)|Al-Arroub]]
| 1950 || West Bank || UNRWA || {{coord|31|37|23.18|N|35|08|12.19|E|region:PS}} || 12,000 || 0.24 || 50,000 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/west-bank/arroub-camp UNRWA Al-Arroub (camp)]</ref>
|-
! [[Khan al-Shih camp|Khan al-Shih]]
| 1949 || Syria || UNRWA || {{coord|33|21|30|N|36|6|26|E|region:SY}} || 12,000 || 0.69 || 17,391 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/syria/khan-eshieh-camp UNRWA Khan al-Shih]</ref>
|-
! [[Shatila refugee camp|Shatila]]
| 1949 || Lebanon || UNRWA || {{coord|33|51|46|N|35|29|54|E|region:LB_type:city(2000000)}} || 10,849 || 0.04 || 271,225 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/lebanon/shatila-camp UNRWA Shatila refugee camp]</ref><ref name=":0" />
|-
! [[Nur Shams, Tulkarm|Nur Shams]]
| 1952 || West Bank || UNRWA || {{coord|32|19|07.36|N|35|03|31.63|E|region:PS}} || 10,500 || 0.21 || 50,000 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/west-bank/nur-shams-camp UNRWA Nur Shams, Tulkarm]</ref>
|-
! [[Daraa camp|Daraa]]
| 1950 || Syria || UNRWA || {{coord|32|37|N|36|6|E|region:SY}} || 10,500 || 1.3 || 8,077 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/syria/deraa-camp UNRWA Deraa]</ref>
|-
! [[Fawwar, Hebron|Fawwar]]
| 1949 || West Bank || UNRWA || {{coord|31|28|46.45|N|35|03|52.93|E|region:PS}} || 9,500 || 0.27 || 35,185 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/west-bank/fawwar-camp UNRWA Fawwar, Hebron]</ref>
|-
! [[Wavel]]
| 1948 || Lebanon || UNRWA || {{coord|33|59|56.27|N|36|11|35.46|E|type:city}} || 9,460 || 0.043 || 220,000 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/lebanon/wavel-camp UNRWA Wavel]</ref><ref name=":0" />
|-
! [[Hama camp|Hama]]
| 1950 || Syria || UNRWA || {{coord|35|08|N|36|45|E|region:SY}} || 9,000 || 0.06 || 150,000 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/syria/hama-camp UNRWA Hama]</ref>
|-
! [[Aqabat Jaber]]
| 1948 || West Bank || UNRWA || {{coord|31|50|17.00|N|35|26|30.20|E|region:PS}} || 8,600 || 1.67 || 5,150 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/west-bank/aqbat-jabr-camp UNRWA Aqabat Jaber]</ref>
|-
! [[Madaba camp]]
| 1956 || Jordan || Unofficial || {{coord| 31|42|41|N| 35|47|15|E |region:PS}} || 8,597 || n.a. || n.a. ||  || <ref name="BADIL Refugee Survey 2016-18"/>
|-
! [[Far'a]]
| 1949 || West Bank || UNRWA || {{coord|32|17|38.35|N|35|20|39.74|E|region:PS}} || 8,500 || 0.26 || 32,692 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/west-bank/fara-camp UNRWA Far'a]</ref>
|-
! [[Talbieh Camp]]
| 1968 || Jordan || UNRWA || {{coord|31|42|19|N|35|56|57|E|region:JO}} || 8,000 || 0.13 || 61,538 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/jordan/talbieh-camp UNRWA Talbieh Camp]</ref>
|-
! [[Ein Beit al-Ma']] (Camp No. 1)
| 1950 || West Bank || UNRWA || {{coord|32|13|48.91|N|35|14|58.42|E|region:PS}} || 7,500 || 0.045 || 166,667 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/west-bank/camp-no-1-camp UNRWA Ein Beit al-Ma']</ref>
|-
! [[Sokhna camp]]
| 1969 || Jordan || Unofficial || {{coord|32|7|59|N| 36|4|20|E|region:PS}} || 7,424 || n.a. || n.a. || sometimes transliterated 'Sakhna' or 'Sukhna' || <ref name="BADIL Refugee Survey 2016-18"/>
|-
! [[Am'ari]]
| 1949 || West Bank || UNRWA || {{coord|31|53|38.60|N|35|12|41.52|E|region:PS}} || 7,000 || 0.096 || 72,917 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/west-bank/amari-camp UNRWA Am'ari]</ref>
|-
! [[Ein Al-Tal]] (also known as Handarat camp)
| 1962 || Syria || Unofficial || {{coord|36|17|34.84|N|37|9|24.86|E}} || n.a. || 0.16 || n.a. || Largely destroyed (was 7,000 population) || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/syria/ein-el-tal-unofficial-camp UNRWA Ein el Tal]</ref>
|-
! [[Nahr al-Bared]]
| 1949 || Lebanon || UNRWA || {{coord|34|30|47|N|35|57|40|E|region:LB_type:city}} || 5,857 || 0.198 || 29,581 || Reconstructed, was 27,000 population || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/lebanon/nahr-el-bared-camp UNRWA Nahr al-Bared]</ref><ref name=":0" />
|-
! [[Mieh Mieh refugee camp|Mieh Mieh]]
| 1954 || Lebanon || UNRWA || {{coord|33|32|30|N|35|23|29|E|region:TH}} || 5,747 || 0.054 || 106,426 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/lebanon/mieh-mieh-camp UNRWA Mieh Mieh refugee camp]</ref><ref name=":0" />
|-
! [[Aida (camp)|Aida]]
| 1950 || West Bank || UNRWA || {{coord|31|43|10.34|N|35|11|56.31|E|region:PS}} || 5,500 || 0.071 || 77,465 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/west-bank/aida-camp UNRWA Aida (camp)]</ref>
|-
! [[Dbayeh camp|Dbayeh]]
| 1956 || Lebanon || UNRWA || {{coord|33|54|N|35|34|E}} || 4,591 || 0.084 || 54,655 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/lebanon/dbayeh-camp UNRWA Dbayeh]</ref><ref name=":0" />
|-
! [[Ein as-Sultan camp]]
| 1948 || West Bank || UNRWA || {{coord|31|52|40.24|N|35|26|46.24|E|region:PS}} || 3,800 || 0.87 || 4,368 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/west-bank/ein-el-sultan-camp UNRWA Ein as-Sultan]</ref>
|-
! [['Azza]] (Beit Jibrin)
| 1950 || West Bank || UNRWA || {{coord|31|42|54.78|N|35|12|07.61|E|region:PS}} || 2,900 || 0.027 || 107,407 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/west-bank/beit-jibrin-camp UNRWA 'Azza]</ref>
|-
! [[Deir 'Ammar Camp]]
| 1949 || West Bank || UNRWA || {{coord|31|57|57.22|N|35|05|55.98|E|region:PS}} || 2,500 || 0.162 || 15,432 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/west-bank/deir-ammar-camp UNRWA Deir 'Ammar Camp]</ref>
|-
! [[Qaddura]] camp
| 1948 || West Bank || Unofficial || {{coord|31|54|3.32|N|35|12|21.18|E|region:PS}} || 1,558 || n.a. || n.a. ||  || <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://vprofile.arij.org/ramallah/pdfs/factsheet/Qaddura%20Camp_vp_en.pdf|title=Qaddura camp profile}}</ref>
|-
! [[Mar Elias refugee camp]]
| 1952 || Lebanon || UNRWA || {{coord|33|52|38|N|35|29|19|E|region:LB_type:landmark}} || 725 || 0.0054 || 134,259 ||  || <ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/lebanon/mar-elias-camp UNRWA Mar Elias refugee camp]</ref><ref name=":0" />
|-
! [[Silwad Camp]]
| 1971 || West Bank || Unofficial ||{{coord|31|58|5|N| 35|15|41|E|region:PS}}  || 462 || n.a. || n.a. ||  || <ref name="BADIL Refugee Survey 2016-18"/>
|-
! [[Abu Shukheidim]] camp 
| 1948 || West Bank || Unofficial ||  || n.a. || n.a. || n.a. || Town of Abu Shukhaydam (sic) shows on maps as ~1&nbsp;mi SW of [[Birzeit]] || <ref name="BADIL Refugee Survey 2016-18"/>
|-
! [[Birzeit camp]] (As-Saqaeif)
| 1948 || West Bank || Unofficial || {{coord| 31|58|12|N |35|12|01|E|region:PS}}<!--Approximate, from google maps-->
 || n.a. || n.a. || n.a. ||  || <ref name="BADIL Refugee Survey 2016-18"/><ref>{{cite web |title=مخيم بير زيت |trans-title=Bir Zeit camp |url=https://palcamps.net/ar/camp/84 |website=palcamps.net |access-date=4 January 2024 |archive-date=4 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240104005840/https://palcamps.net/ar/camp/84 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|}

==Population statistics==
The evolution of Palestinian refugee population is shown below:<ref name=UNWRA2004table2>[https://www.un.org/unispal/document/auto-insert-178659/ Report of the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, 1 July 2003-30 June 2004, Supplement No. 13 (A/59/13)] Table 2: Distribution of registered population (as at 30 June 2004)</ref><ref name=Hanafi>Ḥanafī, Sārī [https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Palestinian-Refugee-Camps-in-the-Arab-East%3A-in-of-Ḥanafī/5fe726e0243501808d403ebb2fb230e5a1b45ba3 "Palestinian Refugee Camps in the Arab East: Governmentalities in Search of Legitimacy."] (2010), page 6</ref><ref name=BADIL>[https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/survey2016-2018-eng.pdf BADIL Refugee Survey 2016-18], page 30</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
!  !! 1950 !! 1960 !! 1970 !! 1980 !! 1990 !! 2000 !! 2004 !! 2009 !! 2018
|-
! Jordan
| 506,200 || 613,743 || 506,038 || 716,372 || 929,097 || 1,570,192 || 1,758,274 || 1,951,603 || 2,242,579
|-
! Lebanon
| 127,600 || 136,561 || 175,958 || 226,554 || 302,049 || 376,472 || 396,890 || 422,188 || 475,075
|-
! Syria
| 82,194 || 115,043 || 158,717 || 209,362 || 280,731 || 383,199 || 417,346 || 461,897 || 560,139
|-
! West Bank
| – || – || 272,692 || 324,035 || 414,298 || 583,009 || 675,670 || 762,820 || 846,465
|-
! Gaza Strip
| 198,227 || 255,542 || 311,814 || 367,995 || 496,339 || 824,622 || 938,531 || 1,073,303 || 1,421,282
|-
! Total registered refugees
| 914,221 || 1,120,889 || 1,425,219 || 1,844,318 || 2,422,514 || 3,737,494 || 4,186,711 || 4,671,811 || 5,545,540
|}

The number of Palestinian refugees living within the UNWRA registered area of operations is shown below, both those living in camps and those living outside camps:<ref name=UNWRA2004table3>[https://www.un.org/unispal/document/auto-insert-178659/ Report of the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, 1 July 2003-30 June 2004, Supplement No. 13 (A/59/13)] Table 3: Number and distribution of special hardship cases (as at 30 June 2004)</ref><ref name=Hanafi/><ref name=BADIL/>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!  !! Registered persons (refugees and other) !! Registered refugees in camps !! % registered refugees in camps
|-
| 1953 || 870,158 || 300,785 || 34.6
|-
| 1955 || 912,425 || 351,532 || 38.5
|-
| 1960 || 1,136,487 || 409,223 || 36.0
|-
| 1965 || 1,300,117 || 508,042 || 39.1
|-
| 1970 || 1,445,022 || 500,985 || 34.7
|-
| 1975 || 1,652,436 || 551,643 || 33.4
|-
| 1980 || 1,863,162 || 613,149 || 32.9
|-
| 1985 || 2,119,862 || 805,482 || 38.0
|-
| 1990 || 2,466,516 || 697,709 || 28.3
|-
| 1995 || 3,246,044 || 1,007,375 || 31.0
|-
| 2000 || 3,806,055 || 1,227,954 || 32.3
|-
| 2005 || 4,283,892 || 1,265,987 || 29.6
|-
| 2010 || 4,966,664 || 1,452,790 || 29.3
|-
| 2015 || 5,741,480 || 1,632,876 || 28.4
|-
| 2018 || 6,171,793 || 1,728,409 || 28.0
|}

The table below shows the population of registered refugees, other registered people, and refugees residing in camps, in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://unrwa.es/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/unrwa_in_figures_2019_eng_sep_2019_final.pdfUNRWA|title=in Figures 2019}}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> UNRWA's definition of Other Registered Persons refer to "those who, at the time of original registration did not satisfy all of UNRWA's Palestine refugee criteria, but who were determined to have suffered significant loss and/or hardship for reasons related to the 1948 conflict in Palestine; they also include persons who belong to the families of other registered persons."<ref>[https://www.unrwa.org/sites/default/files/content/resources/aor_2019_eng.pdfUNRWA Annual Operational Report 2019]</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
!  !! Jordan !! Lebanon !! Syria !! West Bank !! Gaza Strip !! Total
|-
| Registered refugees || 2,242,579 || 475,075 || 560,139 || 846,465 || 1,421,282 || 5,545,540
|-
| Other registered people || 133,902 || 58,810 || 83,003 || 201,525 || 149,013 || 626,253
|-
| Total registered people || 2,376,481 || 533,885 || 643,142 || 1,047,990 || 1,570,295 || 6,171,793
|-
| Refugees living within official camp borders || 412,054 || 270,614 || 194,993 || 256,758 || 593,990 || 1,728,409
|-
| % living within camp borders || 18.4% || 57.0% || 34.8% || 30.3% || 41.8% || 31.2%
|}

== See also ==
*[[Attacks on refugee camps in the Gaza war]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* {{cite book|author1=Are Knudsen|author2=Sari Hanafi|title=Palestinian Refugees: Identity, Space and Place in the Levant|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QlIuCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA3|date=5 November 2010|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-136-88334-7|pages=3–}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Palestinian refugee camps}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170207104159/http://www.forcedmigration.org/research-resources/expert-guides/palestinian-refugees-in-lebanon/fmo018.pdf Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170810020055/http://www.forcedmigration.org/research-resources/expert-guides/palestinian-refugees-in-syria/fmo017.pdf Palestinian Refugees in Syria]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170828015322/http://www.forcedmigration.org/research-resources/expert-guides/palestinian-refugees-in-jordan/fmo025.pdf Palestinian Refugees in Jordan]
* [https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/as-rebuilding-begins-at-lebanons-nahr-al-bared-displaced-refugees-eager-to-return/ As rebuilding begins at Lebanon's nahr al bared, displaced refugees are eager to return], William Wheeler and Don Duncan, ''World Politics Review,'' 11 March 2008
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20141218042328/http://alray.ps/en/index.php?act=post&id=2581#.VJJWxy7P32c UN refugee agency unveils Palestinian archive]

===Maps===
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140805162857/http://www.unrwa.org/sites/default/files/map_2014_english.pdf Fields of operation, 2014 map by UNRWA]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20000824131340/http://almashriq.hiof.no/lebanon/300/300/307/pal-camps/lebanon-refugee-camps.gif Camps in Lebanon]
* [https://maps.lib.utexas.edu/maps/atlas_middle_east/occupied_map.jpg Camps in the Palestinian territories]

{{Palestine topics}}
{{Palestinian refugee camps}}{{ whole Gaza Strip }}
{{Arab–Israeli conflict}}
{{Nakbaend}}

[[Category:Palestine refugee camps|*]]
[[Category:Forced migration in Asia]]
[[Category:Statelessness]]
[[Category:Temporary populated places]]