The Askar refugee camp was established in 1950 and it was officially recognized as a refugee camp by UNRWA.
In 1964 the camp was expanded into a new part to which residents refer as “New Askar†(Al-Jadid). However, this extended part is not officially recognized by the UN as a refugee camp and this is why there are only few structure financially supported by UNRWA here.
These structures are the schools, the hospitals and funding for the maintenance of the current infrastructure. Today the New Askar Camp it is inhabited by around 15.000 refugees.
The camp’s major issues are overcrowding and lack of resources.
Like most camps, Askar has severe problems because it is overcrowded and it is in great need of further expansion.