Balata Refugee Camp
Balata camp is located in the northern West Bank in Nablus city. Built in 1950 in order to house 5,000 Palestinian refugees, it is now home to over 27,000 people who inhabit just 0.25 square kilometers, making it the largest refugee camp in the West Bank.
Overcrowding and poor infrastructure is common throughout the camp. Over the years, construction of new residences has encroached on public spaces, with many streets having become narrow alleys with barely sufficient space for people to pass. The lack of space has also meant that many refugees now live without a sense of privacy and living space. Very few safe spaces remain for children to play outdoors.
Image: UNRWA/Dominiek Benoot
Asker Camps
Askar camp was established in 1950 and borders the Nablus municipality. The camp population grew significantly between 1950 and 1960. Some residents subsequently settled in an area one kilometer away that is now known as New Askar. Residents of New Askar originally utilized many facilities in Askar camp.
With nearly 18,500 registered persons, Askar camp is among the most densely populated West Bank camps. Overcrowding and unemployment are among the most serious issues. Poor shelters and cramped living conditions offer no privacy for residents in their personal lives, adding to the residents’ physical and psychological strain.
Image: Tomorrow’s Youth Organization
El Ain Camp
Camp No. 1 (El Ain Camp) was established in 1950 and also borders the Nablus municipality. It was the first camp established in the Nablus area and was thus named Camp No. 1. Because the camp previously received water from a nearby spring, it is also known as Ain Beit el-Ma’ or ‘Spring of the House of Water’.
Camp No. 1 is today one of the smallest camps in the West Bank. However, with nearly 7,500 registered persons in the camp, it is also the West Bank’s most densely populated camp. Overcrowding has led to a lack of living and recreational space, which negatively affects residents’ mental and physical health.
Image: UNRWA/Dominiek Benoot
The Old City
The Old City of Nablus has a cultural heritage that includes architectural treasures dating to Roman, Byzantine, Crusader, Mamluk and Ottoman eras. It is currently home to approximately 23,000 people.
