The Zaatari Refugee Camp
Since the Syrian conflict began in 2011, it is estimated that over 2.5 million refugees have fled their homes. Located 10 km east of Mafraq, the Zaatari refugee camp was first opened in 2012 and while it was created as a short-term solution has quickly become a permanent home for thousands of refugees. The camp is made up of 30,000 shelters and administration buildings, 3 hospitals, 3 schools, and a market-like structure of 3,000 shops selling a wide range of food, household goods, and clothes.
Education in Zaatari
In the camp, there are 3 schools that are currently functional with the construction of two new schools planned in 2014. Schools operate on a ‘double shift system’, with girls attending the morning sessions and boys attending afternoon sessions. It has been said that over half of the population are children and data suggests that 56% of the Syrian refugee children were not enrolled into formal schooling (September 2013).
How does this affect the children?
This video below shows the thoughts of children in the refugee camp. I found it to be an eyeopening video – the children speak of the struggles of leaving their homeland and the difficulties of education in a new environment.