Zaatari

Zaatari
U.S. Department of State · Public domain · source
Name	Zaatari
Native name	زعتري
Settlement type	Refugee camp
Established title	Opened
Established date	July 2012
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	Jordan
Subdivision type1	Governorate
Subdivision name1	Mafraq Governorate
Population est	80000
Population as of	2020

Zaatari is a large refugee camp in northern Jordan that has become one of the most prominent sites associated with the Syrian refugee crisis. Founded in 2012 near the border with Syria, it rapidly expanded and attracted international attention from agencies such as the UNHCR, the ICRC, and humanitarian NGOs including Médecins Sans Frontières and the International Rescue Committee. The camp has been the focus of discussions involving the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the European Union, the United States Department of State, and regional stakeholders such as the Arab League.

History

Zaatari opened in July 2012 following mass displacement from events tied to the Syrian civil war, including battles such as the Battle of Aleppo and sieges like the Siege of Homs. Early rapid population growth prompted responses from the UNHCR, Jordan Armed Forces, and international NGOs like Save the Children and Oxfam. Over time, visits and profiles by journalists from outlets including The New York Times, BBC News, Al Jazeera and The Guardian brought global attention, while academic studies by institutions such as Harvard University and Oxford University analyzed camp dynamics. Donor conferences involving the United Nations General Assembly and pledges from countries like Germany, Sweden, and Canada shaped funding trajectories. The camp’s development intersected with regional diplomacy involving Turkey, Lebanon, and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Location and Geography

The camp is situated in Mafraq Governorate near the Syrian Arab Republic border, approximately 12 km from the border crossing at Jaber. Its location on the Syrian Desert steppe places it within a semi-arid environment influenced by Mediterranean and continental climate patterns, comparable to areas around Amman and northwestern Irbid Governorate. Proximity to transportation arteries connecting to Amman and Damascus has been relevant for logistics coordinated by the World Food Programme and OCHA. The site’s flat topography facilitated rapid tent deployment but also posed challenges such as dust storms and water supply linked to the Yarmouk Basin catchment.

Camp Organization and Administration

Administration evolved from an initially ad-hoc setup to a more structured system involving the Government of Jordan, UNHCR, and implementing partners like IOM and WHO. Camp sectors were divided into districts coordinated by municipal-style committees with support from NGOs such as CARE International and Christian Aid. Cash assistance and voucher systems were implemented through collaborations with financial firms and multilateral entities including the European Commission and the World Bank. Security and order involved coordination between Jordanian Armed Forces and UN security liaisons, while civil registration and documentation relied on partnerships with the Ministry of Interior (Jordan) and identity programs supported by UNICEF.

Population and Demographics

Populations reflected waves of displacement from Syrian governorates like Daraa Governorate, Idlib Governorate, Homs Governorate, and Aleppo Governorate. Demographic profiles documented by UNHCR and academic researchers indicated a high proportion of women and children, with households shaped by kinship ties to cities such as Hama and Latakia. Surveys by organizations including Action Against Hunger and Mercy Corps tracked age distributions, livelihood capacities, and return intentions influenced by events in Racka and other contested areas. Population figures fluctuated with returns, resettlement to countries like Canada, Germany, and Sweden, and transfers to urban areas including Amman and Zarqa.

Living Conditions and Infrastructure

Shelter evolved from tents provided by UNHCR to more durable caravans and prefabricated units supplied in coordination with agencies such as UNICEF and the International Organization for Migration. Water, sanitation and hygiene systems were installed by partners like WaterAid and Oxfam, while health clinics operated in collaboration with Médecins Sans Frontières and the Jordanian Ministry of Health. Education programs involved UNICEF, Save the Children, and Jordanian ministries, establishing schools aligned with curricula from Jordanian Ministry of Education and remedial programs often supported by the British Council and UNESCO. Markets and cash economies emerged, influenced by remittances from diasporas in Europe and North America.

Humanitarian Response and Services

Humanitarian services have been provided by a constellation of UN agencies—UNHCR, WFP, UNICEF, WHO—alongside NGOs such as International Rescue Committee, Save the Children, CARE International, and Doctors Without Borders. Food assistance used modalities from the World Food Programme including in-kind distributions and electronic vouchers, while health interventions addressed primary care, mental health, and reproductive health supported by UNFPA. Protection services involved legal aid from organizations like Amnesty International and casework coordinated with the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Donor coordination took place through OCHA-led clusters and occasional pledging conferences involving states such as United Kingdom and France.

Security, Legal Status and Future Plans

Security arrangements have balanced Jordanian national concerns with humanitarian access overseen by the Jordanian Armed Forces and international liaison channels such as those used by UNHCR and IOM. Legal status for residents involved registration processes under Jordanian asylum policies and documentation supported by UNHCR, while pathways for third-country resettlement engaged missions from United States Department of State, Canadian Government, and European resettlement schemes. Future planning discussed by stakeholders including the World Bank, UNDP, and the Government of Jordan has considered durable solutions—local integration, voluntary return linked to stabilized areas in Syria, and resettlement—alongside infrastructure transition proposals involving donors like Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.

Category:Refugee camps in Jordan