Refugee settlement and heat in arid regions: The case of Jordan

Abstract

Arid regions are characterized by an ecological environment with abundant solar radiation, little precipitation, and a marked diurnal variation in temperature. In these ecological conditions, heat is one of the factors that determine all aspects of the lifestyle of the local people, such as clothing, housing, and livelihood. It is to be expected that in arid lands a great deal of knowledge about heat has been accumulated. In this study, the contemporary event, the refugee settlement, and elucidate its relationship with heat are analyzed. By focusing on the refugee camp established in Jordan in response to the influx of Iraqi refugees, it analyses their life of encampment in arid area.

It is pointed out that the area is a desert area, where it is very hot in summer and when storms blow, the refugees’ tents are immediately filled with sand, making it a harsh environment to continue living in. This situation has been reported worldwide and the Jordan’s inhumane treatment has often been criticised by international organizations. Though Jordan’s position has been one of outright refusal to accept them, as most of the refugees were Palestinian or Iranian Kurds. Jordan already has more than half of its population of Palestinian descent, she could not tolerate any more of them. The camp was therefore surrounded by a fence, under constant surveillance by the Jordanian army and with limited freedom of movement.

In the camps, most of the infrastructure, such as water, electricity, shelter, and food, was totally dependent on aid. In terms of housing, although the framework has been strengthened and some improvements have been made to provide more space, it is believed that the basic form of housing has continued to be simple tents. As a result, the camp was closed when all the refugees had been resettled in third countries, but it is obvious that it would have been preferable to close the camp at an earlier stage. Despite this, the fact that the camp continued to be established for 6 years should be noted above all. The fact that the camps were able to continue shows that in the desert, people can live in simple houses as long as they can secure scarce water resources.