Dheisheh
Encyclopedia
Dheisheh Refugee Camp is a Palestinian refugee camp located just south of Bethlehem
in the West Bank
. Dheisheh was established in 1949 on 0.31 square kilometers of land leased from the Jordanian government. The camp was established as a temporary refuge for 3,400 Palestinians from 45 villages west of Jerusalem and Hebron who fled during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War
.
Six decades of natural population growth have expanded the camp's dimensions into an area between 1 and 1.5 square kilometers. The exact dimensions are subject to periodic debate between residents, UNRWA and the Palestinian Authority. The latter two are required to provide services to residents, depending on their resident status within the camp.
Although initially living in tents, the residents have since constructed homes. Many streets are now paved, while still remaining very narrow. According to UNRWA, the entire camp is connected to the municipal water and electric systems of Bethlehem, yet 15% of the camp remains unconnected to the local public sewage system. These homes make use of communal percolation pits.
While "Dheisheh" is the spelling UNRWA uses, the Palestinian Authority uses "ad Duheisha" in its documentation.
There is little consensus among news agencies as to the proper spelling. While Al Jazeera makes use of the "Dheisheh" spelling, the Palestinian news agency Ma'an has used the alternative spelling "Duheisha.".
. Dheisheh is one of the refugee camps that was created as a temporary humanitarian solution to the problem of accommodating those expelled Palestinians. Towards the end of the 1950s the UNRWA started to build very simple living units: A single room of 10 square metres, 10 cm thick and 2.45 m high walls, a steel roof and a floor made of rough concrete. Refugees began to build their own houses so as not to live in the UNRWA's shacks any longer.
and UNRWA.
According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics
, the camp was estimated to have population of 9,399 in mid-year 2006, following natural population growths from 8,829 persons in 2004 and 9,114 persons in 2005. In January 2009, the Population, Housing, and Establishment Census 2007, undertaken by the same Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics
, on behalf of the Palestinian National Authority, reported the following statistics for the year 2007:
Of note is the absence of approximately 700 persons from the estimated 2006 figure compared to the 2007 reported figure. Also, the 2007 reported figure is less than the initial figured reported by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics for 2004.
UNRWA reported the following statistical figures for Dheisheh, as of 30 June 2008:
The discrepancy regarding the camp's population is influenced by several issues, most significant of which are the disagreements over the accepted dimensions of the camp and the status of unregistered residents. Residents of the camp are not taxed on their properties within the camp, and this results in disagreements as the camp community's population and geographical size continue to grow. The tax policy regarding the camp has resulted in the immigration of Palestinians who are not registered refugees with UNRWA. Accurate figures for these immigrants is non available.
Additionally, registration with UNRWA is voluntary and thus can not be expected to account for all eligible refugees living within the camp.
Based on the UNRWA statistics, Dheisheh is the 4th largest refugee camp in the West Bank, behind Balata
, Tulkarm
, and Askar
(in that order). Dheisheh is thus the largest camp outside of UNRWA's Nablus district.
By comparison, Dheisheh camp would be the 6th largest after Balata
, Askar
, Tulkarm
, Jenin
, and Qalandiya (in that order), based on the figures reported by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics.
The Karama Organization is located near to the UNRWA boys and girls schools in Dheisheh. The organization's stated objectives are to provide free educational opportunities and services to the camp's women and children. As of the first quarter of 2010, the organization had expanded their services to the greater area surrounding the camp, comprising other refugee camps in the districts of Bethlehem and Hebron.
The Ibdaa Cultural Center
, whose stated goal is to create a positive atmosphere for the children, is also located in the camp.
The Future Vision Society for the Development of the Abilities (AREEN) is another organization located in Dheishe camp. This non-profit organization strives to provide a better future for the children and youth in the camp, especially for girls, who often have little hope for the future.
Bethlehem
Bethlehem is a Palestinian city in the central West Bank of the Jordan River, near Israel and approximately south of Jerusalem, with a population of about 30,000 people. It is the capital of the Bethlehem Governorate of the Palestinian National Authority and a hub of Palestinian culture and tourism...
in the West Bank
West Bank
The West Bank ) of the Jordan River is the landlocked geographical eastern part of the Palestinian territories located in Western Asia. To the west, north, and south, the West Bank shares borders with the state of Israel. To the east, across the Jordan River, lies the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan...
. Dheisheh was established in 1949 on 0.31 square kilometers of land leased from the Jordanian government. The camp was established as a temporary refuge for 3,400 Palestinians from 45 villages west of Jerusalem and Hebron who fled during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War
1948 Arab-Israeli War
The 1948 Arab–Israeli War, known to Israelis as the War of Independence or War of Liberation The war commenced after the termination of the British Mandate for Palestine and the creation of an independent Israel at midnight on 14 May 1948 when, following a period of civil war, Arab armies invaded...
.
Six decades of natural population growth have expanded the camp's dimensions into an area between 1 and 1.5 square kilometers. The exact dimensions are subject to periodic debate between residents, UNRWA and the Palestinian Authority. The latter two are required to provide services to residents, depending on their resident status within the camp.
Although initially living in tents, the residents have since constructed homes. Many streets are now paved, while still remaining very narrow. According to UNRWA, the entire camp is connected to the municipal water and electric systems of Bethlehem, yet 15% of the camp remains unconnected to the local public sewage system. These homes make use of communal percolation pits.
Name
There are several alternative spellings of Dheisheh, making use of the Latin alphabet. An incomplete list of possible spellings include: "Deheishe", "Deheisheh", "Duheisha", "Dheisha", and "Dhaisha".While "Dheisheh" is the spelling UNRWA uses, the Palestinian Authority uses "ad Duheisha" in its documentation.
There is little consensus among news agencies as to the proper spelling. While Al Jazeera makes use of the "Dheisheh" spelling, the Palestinian news agency Ma'an has used the alternative spelling "Duheisha.".
History
The people who gathered in Dheisheh originated from more than 45 villages west of Jerusalem and HebronHebron
Hebron , is located in the southern West Bank, south of Jerusalem. Nestled in the Judean Mountains, it lies 930 meters above sea level. It is the largest city in the West Bank and home to around 165,000 Palestinians, and over 500 Jewish settlers concentrated in and around the old quarter...
. Dheisheh is one of the refugee camps that was created as a temporary humanitarian solution to the problem of accommodating those expelled Palestinians. Towards the end of the 1950s the UNRWA started to build very simple living units: A single room of 10 square metres, 10 cm thick and 2.45 m high walls, a steel roof and a floor made of rough concrete. Refugees began to build their own houses so as not to live in the UNRWA's shacks any longer.
Population
Accurate population figures for Dheisheh are subject to disagreement between the respective census studies of the Palestinian National AuthorityPalestinian National Authority
The Palestinian Authority is the administrative organization established to govern parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip...
and UNRWA.
According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics
Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics
The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics is the statistical organization under the umbrella of the Palestinian Cabinet of the Palestinian National Authority....
, the camp was estimated to have population of 9,399 in mid-year 2006, following natural population growths from 8,829 persons in 2004 and 9,114 persons in 2005. In January 2009, the Population, Housing, and Establishment Census 2007, undertaken by the same Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics
Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics
The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics is the statistical organization under the umbrella of the Palestinian Cabinet of the Palestinian National Authority....
, on behalf of the Palestinian National Authority, reported the following statistics for the year 2007:
| Demographic Type | Total |
|---|---|
| No. of Total Persons | 8,736 |
| No. of Females | 4,310 |
| No. of Males | 4,426 |
| No. of Housing Units | 1,905 |
| No. of Buildings | 1,170 |
| No. of Household | 1,698 |
| Average Size of Household: | 5.1 |
Of note is the absence of approximately 700 persons from the estimated 2006 figure compared to the 2007 reported figure. Also, the 2007 reported figure is less than the initial figured reported by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics for 2004.
UNRWA reported the following statistical figures for Dheisheh, as of 30 June 2008:
| Demographic Type | Total |
|---|---|
| No. of Total Persons | 13,017 |
| No. of Families | 2,838 |
| No. of Infants | 129 |
The discrepancy regarding the camp's population is influenced by several issues, most significant of which are the disagreements over the accepted dimensions of the camp and the status of unregistered residents. Residents of the camp are not taxed on their properties within the camp, and this results in disagreements as the camp community's population and geographical size continue to grow. The tax policy regarding the camp has resulted in the immigration of Palestinians who are not registered refugees with UNRWA. Accurate figures for these immigrants is non available.
Additionally, registration with UNRWA is voluntary and thus can not be expected to account for all eligible refugees living within the camp.
Based on the UNRWA statistics, Dheisheh is the 4th largest refugee camp in the West Bank, behind Balata
Balata
Balata Camp is a Palestinian refugee camp established in the northern West Bank in 1950, adjacent to the city of Nablus. It is the largest refugee camp in the West Bank. Balata Camp is densely populated with 30,000 residents in an area of 0.25 square kilometers.-History:In 1950, the UN gave the...
, Tulkarm
Tulkarm
Tulkarem or Tulkarm is a Palestinian city in the northern Samarian mountain range in the Tulkarm Governorate in the extreme northwestern West Bank adjacent to the Netanya and Haifa districts to the west, the Nablus and Jenin Districts to the east...
, and Askar
Askar
Askar is a Palestinian refugee camp. It is located on the outskirts of the West Bank city of Nablus and was established in 1950 on 209 dunums of land. In 1960 the camp was expanded onto a further 90 dumums. Residents of the camp refer to this as “New Askar”....
(in that order). Dheisheh is thus the largest camp outside of UNRWA's Nablus district.
By comparison, Dheisheh camp would be the 6th largest after Balata
Balata
Balata Camp is a Palestinian refugee camp established in the northern West Bank in 1950, adjacent to the city of Nablus. It is the largest refugee camp in the West Bank. Balata Camp is densely populated with 30,000 residents in an area of 0.25 square kilometers.-History:In 1950, the UN gave the...
, Askar
Askar
Askar is a Palestinian refugee camp. It is located on the outskirts of the West Bank city of Nablus and was established in 1950 on 209 dunums of land. In 1960 the camp was expanded onto a further 90 dumums. Residents of the camp refer to this as “New Askar”....
, Tulkarm
Tulkarm
Tulkarem or Tulkarm is a Palestinian city in the northern Samarian mountain range in the Tulkarm Governorate in the extreme northwestern West Bank adjacent to the Netanya and Haifa districts to the west, the Nablus and Jenin Districts to the east...
, Jenin
Jenin
Jenin is the largest town in the Northern West Bank, and the third largest city overall. It serves as the administrative center of the Jenin Governorate and is a major agricultural center for the surrounding towns. In 2007, the city had a population of 120,004 not including the adjacent refugee...
, and Qalandiya (in that order), based on the figures reported by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics.
NGOs and Relief Agencies
There are a number of local and international organizations offering humanitarian services within Dheisheh camp. Many of these NGOs maintain a particular focus to their efforts. A few of them are listed before.The Karama Organization is located near to the UNRWA boys and girls schools in Dheisheh. The organization's stated objectives are to provide free educational opportunities and services to the camp's women and children. As of the first quarter of 2010, the organization had expanded their services to the greater area surrounding the camp, comprising other refugee camps in the districts of Bethlehem and Hebron.
The Ibdaa Cultural Center
Ibdaa Cultural Center
The Ibdaa Cultural Center is a grassroots community-based project in the West Bank's Palestinian Dheisheh refugee camp. The name, "Ibdaa," is translated from Arabic as "creation" or "creative ability"...
, whose stated goal is to create a positive atmosphere for the children, is also located in the camp.
The Future Vision Society for the Development of the Abilities (AREEN) is another organization located in Dheishe camp. This non-profit organization strives to provide a better future for the children and youth in the camp, especially for girls, who often have little hope for the future.
Further reading
- Grossman, DDavid GrossmanDavid Grossman is an Israeli author. His books have been translated into more than 30 languages, and have won numerous prizes.He is also a noted activist and critic of Israeli policy toward Palestinians. The Yellow Wind, his non-fiction study of the life of Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied...
. 1988. ‘A man is like a stalk of wheat’ in The Yellow Wind, Pan Books Limited: Farrar Strauss and Giroux
