Al-Zaatari Syrian Refugee Camp Expansion Satellite Photos

The following are satellite photos of the Al-Zaatari Refugee Camp in Jordan with analysis provided by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Operational Satellite Applications Programme (UNOSAT).  The photos show the growth of the camp from approximately 5,000 shelters in November 2012 to more than 28,000 in May 2013.  According to Al Jazeera, the camp can sometimes receive as many as 3,000 Syrian refugees a day and will soon become the world’s largest refugee camp.  For higher resolution images and more complete analysis, see the UNOSAT website for maps and other information relating to Syria.  A map produced by the U.S. State Department Humanitarian Information Unit is also included for general reference on the overall number of displaced persons as a result of the ongoing conflict in Syria.

U.S. State Department Humanitarian Information Unit map of displaced persons from the Syrian conflict as of May 1, 2013.

November 2012
Number of shelters: 5,163

This map illustrates satellite-detected shelters and other buildings at the Al Zaatari refugee camp in Mafraq Governatorate, Jordan. As of 15 November 2012 a total of 5,163 shelters were detected as well as 499 infrastructure and support buildings within the 216 hectares of the camp. The number of shelters has thus increased by about 2,400 since the previous UNITAR/UNOSAT assessment of the camp which used a satellite image from 3 September 2012, indicating the number of camp inhabitants have likely doubled since that date. In addition, numerous areas of expansion are also visible in the image as of 15 November 2012, indicating preparations are underway to accommodate similarly increased numbers of refugees in the near future. This is a preliminary analysis and has not yet been validated in the field. Please send ground feedback to UNITAR/UNOSAT

January 2013
Number of shelters: 11,966

This map illustrates satellite-detected shelters and other buildings at the Al Zaatari refugee camp in Mafraq Governorate, Jordan. As of 3 January 2013 a total of 11,966 shelters were detected as well as 866 infrastructure and support buildings within the 314 hectares of the camp. The number of shelters has thus increased by about 6,803 since the previous UNITAR/UNOSAT assessment of the camp which used a satellite image from 15 November 2012, indicating the number of camp inhabitants have almost doubled since that date. In addition areas of expansion are also visible in the image as of 3 January 2013, indicating preparations are underway to accommodate similarly increased numbers of refugees in the near future. This is a preliminary analysis and has not yet been validated in the field. Please send ground feedback to UNITAR/UNOSAT.

February 2013
Number of shelters: 18,169

This map illustrates satellite-detected shelters and other buildings at the Al Zaatari refugee camp in Mafraq Governorate, Jordan. As of 3 February 2013 a total of 18,169 shelters were detected as well as 892 infrastructure and support buildings within the 405.19 hectares of the camp. The number of shelters has thus increased by about 6,203 since the previous UNITAR/UNOSAT assessment of the camp which used a satellite image from 3 January 2013. This indicates a 66% increase in the number of shelters between 3 January and 3 February 2013. In addition areas of expansion are also visible in the image as of 3 February 2013, indicating preparations are underway to accommodate increased numbers of refugees in the near future. This is a preliminary analysis and has not yet been validated in the field. Please send ground feedback to UNITAR/UNOSAT.

March 2013
Number of shelters: 26,242

This map illustrates satellite-detected shelters and other buildings at the Al Zaatari refugee camp in Mafraq Governorate, Jordan. As of 14 March 2013 a total of 26,242 shelters were detected as well as 1,182 infrastructure and support buildings within the 531.21 hectares of the camp. The number of shelters has thus increased by about 1,563 since the previous UNITAR/UNOSAT assessment of the camp which used a satellite image from 26 February 2013. This indicates a 6.3% increase in the number of shelters between 14 March 2013 and 26 of February 2013. In addition areas of expansion are also visible in the image as of 14 March 2013, indicating preparations are underway to accommodate increased numbers of refugees in the near future. This is a preliminary analysis and has not yet been validated in the field. Please send ground feedback to UNITAR/UNOSAT.

April 2013
Number of shelters: 25,378

This map illustrates satellite-detected shelters and other buildings at the Al Zaatari refugee camp in Mafraq Governorate, Jordan. As of 15 April 2013 a total of 25,378 shelters were detected as well as 1,451 infrastructure and support buildings within the 531.44 hectares of the camp. Between 31 March 2013 and 15 April 2013, a total of 4,288 shelters closed or were moved, and a total of 4,555 shelters were constructed, and the number of shelters has thus increased by about 62 since the previous UNITAR/UNOSAT assessment. This indicates a 0.2% increase in the number of shelters between 31 March and 15 April 2013. In addition areas of expansion are also visible in the image as of 15 April 2013, indicating preparations are underway to accommodate increased numbers of refugees in the near future. This is a preliminary analysis and has not yet been validated in the field. Please send ground feedback to UNITAR/UNOSAT.

May 2013
Number of shelters: 28,243

This map illustrates satellite-detected shelters and other buildings at the Al Zaatari refugee camp in Mafraq Governorate, Jordan. As of 4 May 2013 a total of 28,243 shelters were detected as well as 1,662 infrastructure and support buildings within the 530.95 hectares of the camp. Between 15 April 2013 and 4 May 2013, a total of 3,754 shelters closed or were moved, and a total of 6,545 shelters were constructed, and the number of shelters has thus increased by about 2,791 since the previous UNITAR/UNOSAT assessment. This indicates a 11.3% increase in the number of shelters between 15 April and 4 May 2013. In addition areas of expansion are also visible in the image as of 4 May 2013, indicating preparations are underway to accommodate increased numbers of refugees in the near future. This is a preliminary analysis and has not yet been validated in the field. Please send ground feedback to UNITAR/UNOSAT.

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