Zaatari refugee camp
The Zaatari refugee camp (Arabic: مخيم الزعتري) is a refugee camp in Jordan, located 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) east of Mafraq, which has gradually evolved into a permanent settlement;[1] it is the world's largest camp for Syrian refugees.[2] It was first opened on 28 July 2012 to host Syrians fleeing the violence in the ongoing Syrian War that erupted in March 2011.[3] It is connected to the road network by a short road which leads to Highway 10.
Early on, there were primarily issues with inadequate food supplies and inadequate housing.[4][5] In 2013 it was reported that the camp was experiencing an increasing number of reports of crime.[6] Demonstrations were or are used as a forum to create awareness of the conflict and to express political views against the current government led by Bashar al-Assad and the violence inflicted by the Syrian Armed Forces.[7] 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.[6][8] On 5 April 2014 a riot resulted in a number of injuries to both refugees and Jordanian police. One refugee was killed by gunshot.[9]
In 2015, filmmakers Zach Ingrasci and Chris Temple lived in Zaatari for a month, resulting in the documentary Salam Neighbor.
Energy[edit]
The largest solar plant ever built in a refugee camp went live on 13 November 2016, estimated to reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions from the camp by 13,000 metric tonnes per year, equivalent to 30,000 barrels of oil and saving US$5.5 million annually. The 12.9 megawatt peak solar photovoltaic plant was funded by the German government, through the KfW Development Bank at a cost of 15 million euros (US$17.5 million). It provides families with between 12 and 14 hours electricity each day - longer than previously.[20]