West Bank

A group of concerned Americans and U.S. charities created Anera in 1968. Their mission: to get relief to Palestinians in the West Bank displaced by the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. Today, walls, checkpoints and land and building restrictions across the West Bank hinder the economy and limit Palestinians' access to land and water. 

How to Help Palestinians in the West Bank

With your support, Anera helps West Bank communities through access to education, clean water, employment and community infrastructure. Your contribution will help Anera work directly with Palestinian communities identify projects that will bring long-lasting and meaningful change. Learn more about the use of your gift by visiting our FAQ page, then donate today to improve Palestinian lives in the West Bank.

What Happens When You Donate To West Bank Palestinians

When you donate to Anera, you help West Bank Palestinians improve their communities. You contribute to projects that help farmers make smart use of scarce resources and deliver goods to consumers. Your donation enables Palestinians to install water networks that bring water to families' homes. Gifts to Anera from people like you help Palestinians gain employment and make a difference in their communities. Our focus areas in the West Bank include:

  • Agriculture: Your donations helped West Bank Palestinians set up Palestine's first large-scale facility for wastewater reuse for irrigation.
  • Medicine: Medications supplied through your gifts help Palestinians treat illnesses, injuries and chronic conditions.
  • Community: Initiatives such as Anera's Women Can program will use your donation to help West Bank Palestinians start businesses and find employment.
  • Education: Your gift will increase access to education for Palestinians of all ages, including refugees seeking job skills training.
  • Water: West Bank communities will repair and expand their water networks using the resources provided through your donation.
  • Emergency aid: During conflicts and natural disasters, your donation will help us deliver supplies and support to West Bank Palestinians.

You Can Help

Your donation will provide immediate and sustainable relief in Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan. Thank you for supporting Anera!

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See how donations from people like you are helping families in Palestine and Lebanon, and find out about more ways to get involved. 

WEST BANK STORIES

Our Impact

Learn About Anera's Deep Roots in West Bank

Choose a governorate and click to learn more about Anera's work in that area.

Life for Palestinians in the West Bank

In the 1990s, the West Bank separated into three sectors — Area A, Area B and Area C. Area C, which Israel administers, covers over 60 percent of the West Bank. An estimated 300,000 Palestinians live in 532 residential areas located partially or fully in Area C, along with some 400,000 Israeli settlers residing in approximately 230 settlements.

During their daily lives, Palestinians in the West Bank must navigate the walls and checkpoints dividing these three territories.

Agriculture lies at the heart of Palestinian livelihood, but divided land makes it difficult for farmers to grow and market their harvests. Farmers cannot access nearly one-fifth of available farmland in the West Bank. Because of this limited growing space, half of all West Bank farms have less than 2.5 acres. Transportation delays due to divided land also impede efficient farming.

Palestinians in the West Bank also have limited access to clean water and sewage treatment because of water aquifer restrictions. Families must often buy potable water brought in by trucks at expensive rates. Villages without water networks have to travel long distances to reach clean water sources.

The Situation for West Bank Refugees

As of February 2019, 846,465 registered Palestine refugees lived in the West Bank, making up approximately 15 percent of all Palestine refugees. About one-quarter of West Bank refugees live in UNRWA camps, while most of the remaining Palestinian refugees reside in West Bank towns and villages. Many of those who live in towns often reside near the camps.

Since registered refugees have different rights than West Bank citizens, they often have more challenges accessing jobs, land and education. This status can complicate their existing issues with agriculture and water.

Palestinian Refugee Camps in the West Bank

The West Bank has 19 recognized Palestine refugee camps — the highest of any region. However, these refugee camps tend to have smaller populations than other Palestinian camps located in Gaza, Lebanon and Jordan. Like refugee camps in other areas, West Bank camps face overcrowding and limited resources. The official 19 Palestinian refugee camps are:

  • Deir 'Ammar Camp
  • Qalandia Camp (preschool)
  • Am'ari camp
  • Tulkarem Camp
  • Balata Camp
  • Ein Beit Al Ma Camp
  • Shu'fat Camp
  • Nur Shams Camp
  • Dheisheh Camp
  • Fawwar Camp (Anera history)
  • Beit Jibrin Camp
  • Jalazone Camp
  • Aqabat Jaber Camp
  • Far'a Camp
  • Arroub Camp (playground)
  • Ein El Sultan Camp
  • Jenin Camp
  • Askar Camp (preschool)
  • Aida Camp

Over the course of 50+ years of our history, Anera has worked in practically every community across Palestine, including in the refugee camps of the West Bank. For instance, we built/renovated preschools and trained teachers in the Qalandia, Fawwar, Far'a, and Askar refugee camps. Anera's groundbreaking early childhood development program has provided a safe and vibrant learning experience for camp children and a healthy start for a future generation of Palestinians.

We've built a variety of community infrastructure in West Bank refugee camps, like playgrounds in the Arroub and Jenin camps, a wholesale produce market near the Tulkarem camp, and a water irrigation system in Ein El Sultan, which benefits hundreds of farmers.

Our medical aid program reaches clinics and hospitals in the most vulnerable West Bank communities, including the refugee camps. Recent deliveries of antibiotics, for instance went to the Fawwar and Balata camps, where doctors are able to prescribe the needed medicines at no cost to the patients.

BY THE NUMBERS

Current State of the West Bank

2.9 Million

live in the West Bank

Checkpoints and walls isolate Palestinians and restrict their movement.

A, B, C

administrative areas

The Oslo Agreement created 3 areas defining Palestinian and Israeli control.

96.7%

literacy rate

But only 73% of schools in Palestine have a science lab.

Nestled in the Old City of Hebron, the Hebron Charitable Clinic has become an iconic medical care facility in the area since its establishment in 1986.

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