Karama Palestine

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Karama Palestine is a newly established non-governmental organization situated in Deheishe Refugee Camp near the West Bank city of Bethlehem. Since the outbreak of the second Intifada in September 2000 the inhabitants of the camp are - just like their compatriots in other refugee camps in the greater region - surrounded by an environment of violence and hatred, devastation and poverty as well as fear and despair. The Palestinian economy, already suffering tremendously from the ongoing roadblockades, restrictions and curfews, is about to break down. As a result of the Intifada Israel has tightened up the situation. The policy of eliminating potential enemies of the Israeli state but actually killing civilians when those actions are carried out, the destruction of houses and the siege of whole cities and areas is now part of the daily Palestinian life. In these adverse circumstances Karama's center in Deheishe Refugee Camp could well be considered an oasis which provides a safe place for women, children and adolescents offering them different activities and supporting them in many fields. Karama (Arabic for dignity) is working independently and is not affiliated with any political party or movement. Karama has established partnerships with different organizations. Karama's center is open seven days a week from 9 am to 6 pm during holidays and from 1 pm to 6 pm whilst schooltime - sometimes even longer. The focus is mainly aimed at children between 10 and 14 years and adolescents up to 24 years of age. On an area of 110 square meters there are four rooms which can be used simultaneously for activities. Day by day up to 40 children, boys and girls, are taking part in the center's activities. Yet, the children are not "consuming" the activities in a passive manner, but the tutors stimulate them to bring in their own ideas and to organize those activities which they desire themselves.

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• Karama Palestine

v • d • e Palestinian exodus   ·   Palestinian refugees1   ·   UNRWA
Gaza Strip 986,034 refugees Jordan 1,827,877 refugees Lebanon 404,170 refugees Syria 432,048 refugees West Bank 699,817 refugees Beach camp, 76,109 Bureij, 30,059 Deir al-Balah camp, 20,188 Jabalia, 103,646 Khan Yunis, 60,662 Maghazi, 22,536 Nuseirat, 64,233 Rafah camp, 90,638 Amman New Camp, 29,805 Baqa'a, 80,100 Husn, 19,573 Irbid, 23,512 Jabal el-Hussein , 27,674 Jerash, 15,696 Marka, 41,237 Souf, 14,911 Talbieh, 4,041 Zarqa, 17,344 Beddawi, 15,695 Burj el-Barajneh, 19,526 Burj el-Shemali, 18,134 Dbayeh, 4,223 Dikwaneh, destroyed Ein el-Hilweh, 44,133 El-Buss, 9,840 Jisr el-Basha, destroyed Mar Elias, 1,406 Mieh Mieh, 5,078 Nabatieh camp, destroyed in 1973 Nahr el-Bared, 28,358 Rashidieh, 24,679 Sabra Shatila, 11,998 Tel al-Zaatar, destroyed in 1976 Wavel, 7,357 Dera'a, 5,916 Dera'a (Emergency), 5,536 Hama, 7,597 Homs, 13,825 Jaramana, 5,007 Khan Dunoun, 8,603 Khan Eshieh, 15,731 Neirab, 17,994 Qabr Essit, 16,016 Sbeineh, 19,624 Latakia, 6,534 Yarmouk, 112,550 Ein Al-Tal, 4,329 Abu Dis Aida, 3,260 Am'ari, 8,083 Aqabat Jabr, 5,197 Arroub, 9,180 Askar, 13,894 Azaa, 1,828 Balata, 20,681 Deir Ammar, 2,189 Dheisheh, 10,923 Ein Beit al-Ma', 6,221 Ein el-Sultan, 1,888 Far'a, 6,836 Fawwar, 7,072 Jalazone, 9,284 Jenin, 14,050 Kalandia, 9,188 Nur Shams, 8,179 Shu'fat camp, 9,567 Tulkarm, 16,259
1The UNRWA definition of a "Palestinian refugee" is a person "whose normal place of residence was Palestine between June 1946 and May 1948, who lost both their homes and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict." "UNRWA's definition of a refugee also covers the descendants of persons who became refugees in 1948." (UNRWA)