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

Abstract

One of the top priorities for people in arid regions to ensure their safety and comfort is the shelter and the settlement. Numerous studies have dealt with the livelihood of nomadic pastoralists of arid regions or their urban settlements; however, despite the high level of refugee arrivals and receptions in such regions, particularly in the Middle East, not much research has been devoted to their settlement and the shelter itself. This paper examines the reception of Iraqi refugees in northern Jordan in 2003 as a case study, focusing on their settlement in a camp set up in a desert area near the border. The findings reveal that although it is not conducive for camps to remain in the desert for long periods of time, the condition of the Iraqi refugees in the arid region shows that it is possible to do so by relying on aid, especially when water resources need to be secured. The study also clarifies that refugee shelters have seen little technological innovation, thus leading to reports of tents collapsing due to strong winds or being destroyed by fire. Although the primary objective of avoiding heat is achieved, challenges persist in achieving more efficient heat storage and fire resistance.