Askar (camp)

Askar (Arabic: مخيم عسكر‎) is a Palestinian refugee camp. It is located on the outskirts of the West Bank city of Nablus and was established in 1950 on 119 dunums of land. Residents of the camp refer to this as “New Askar”.[1]

Askar Camp
Refugee Camp
Arabic transcription(s)
• Arabic	مخيم عسكر
Askar
Askar Camp Location of Askar Camp within Palestine
Coordinates: 32°13′11.51″N 35°17′50.77″E
State	State of Palestine
Governorate	Nablus
Government
• Type	Refugee Camp (from 1950)
Area
• Total	119 dunams (0.119 km2 or 0.046 sq mi)
Population  (2006)
• Total	31,630
• Density	270,000/km2 (690,000/sq mi)

According to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, the camps registered population is 31,629. Food rations are distributed to approximately 2086 families.

During the 2000 Intifada and 2002 Israeli Defence Force (IDF) incursions, camps such as Askar were a source of considerable resistance from Palestinian gunmen. IDF incursions are still common in Askar refugee camp and are generally conducted for the purposes of interrogating individuals or arresting suspected militants who Israeli authorities consider to be affiliated with listed terrorist organisations.

The UNRWA has several installations in Askar refugee camp including schools and health clinics. However, in addition to these the camp has several of its own community centers including the Center of Peace and Development located in New Askar. International volunteer work camps are run at the center annually which are hosted by the An-Najah National University.