While camps are not established to provide permanent solutions, they offer a safe haven for refugees and meet their most basic needs such as food, water, shelter, medical treatment and other basic services during emergencies.

In situations of long-term displacement, the services provided in camps are expanded to include educational and livelihood... See more

Refugee Camps

Temporary facilities built to provide immediate protection and assistance to people forced to flee. Once a person becomes a refugee, they are likely to remain displaced for many years. It is a life in limbo.

Some of the world's largest refugee camps are: Kutupalong-Balukhali expansion site (Bangladesh), Bidi Bidi refugee camp (Uganda), Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps (Kenya), Azraq and Zaatari refugee camps (Jordan), Nyarugusu, Nduta, and Mtendeli refugee camps (Tanzania) and Kebribeyah; Aw-barre and Sheder refugee camps (Ethiopia).

A well-designed camp should protect the environment and help prevent fires and outbreaks of disease. Food, water access points and latrines should be properly lit and near shelters so as to protect women and girls against sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and facilities should offer refugees the possibility to access the local economy,... See more

Do all refugees live in refugee camps?

No, the vast majority of refugees (approximately 78 percent) live in cities. While urban locations offer more opportunities to live autonomously and find employment, they also pose major challenges as refugees are often forced to share accommodation or live in non-functional public buildings, collective... See more