Inside Zaatari refugee camp: the fourth largest city in Jordan

Indeed, Zaatari’s basic structure was constructed in just nine days and was initially home to just 100 families, but after exponential growth it is now home to 81,000 inhabitants, all living within its five-mile circumference. Since the civil war began, approximately half of the country's 22 million population has been displaced. High cases of rape and young marriage Due to the unplanned nature of the camp’s growth, administrators have found it particularly challenging to manage; people can move their tents and caravans and services are unevenly distributed across its vast expanse. Refugees riding bikes in the camp (Reuters) Approximately half of school age children are currently enrolled, but attendance rates are unknown and likely to be significantly lower. Although they are safe from the effects of direct conflict, there are high cases of sexual violence and rape in the camp. A refugee sorts old tents to be recycled at the Norwegian Refugee Council’s recycling workshop in the camp (AP)

Inside Zaatari: Syrian refugees turn desert into one of the world's largest refugee camps Updated In the dusty desert of northern Jordan a city has emerged out of the sand. Two years ago Syrian families began arriving here, fleeing war and persecution in their homeland. Almost overnight the United Nations (UN) was forced to set up a refugee camp, and what started as a few tents has now grown into a city of about 100,000 people. Click or tap to toggle before/after Photos: See the incredible expansion of the Zaatari refugee camp, which has grown from nothing into a city of about 100,000 people since the Syrian conflict began. Twelve-year-old Dina Hariri was among the first to arrive at the camp with her parents and three siblings. "Before we left we said we will stay 10 days, or 15, maybe one month at the most. Her family left Syria after Dina's father Abu Diaa and her older brother were among the many imprisoned and tortured by the government of Bashar al-Assad. "It was indescribable fear. Jordan - where Zaatari camp is - currently hosts 600,000 Syrians.

Zaatari refugee camp Zaatari (Arabic: مخيم الزعتري) is a refugee camp in Jordan, located 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) east of Mafraq which is gradually evolving into a permanent settlement.[1] It was first opened on July 28, 2012 to host Syrians fleeing the violence in the ongoing Syrian civil war that erupted in 2011. On March 26, 2015, the camp population was estimated at 83,000 refugees.[2] It is connected to the road network by a short road which leads to the highway 10. The camp features market-like structures along the main street where goods like vegetables, basic household equipment and clothes can be purchased. Since the opening of the camp in July 2012, the camp population has repeatedly demonstrated. Due to the maximum capacity of 60,000 refugees in March 2013 a second camp was built 20 kilometres east of Zarqa in the Marjeeb Al Fahood plains.[5][7] On 5 April 2014 a riot resulted in a number of injuries to both refugees and Jordanian police. Demographics[edit] Population growth[edit] Services[edit] Unicef