Rainwater Flood
risk assessment in Zaatari Refugees Camp- Jordan: Towards Sustainable Solutions
Rabab Muhsen
Disaster Advances; Vol. 17(11); 49-58;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/1711da049058; (2024)
Abstract
Refugee settlements are frequently located in isolated and remote areas, characterized
by poor-quality land and harsh climatic conditions. Zaatari camp in Jordan has suffered
and continues to suffer from rainwater floods every winter. This study uses GIS
analysis to assess flood risk in the camp, revealing that 61.1% of the area is moderately
risky, while 0.84% and 22.42% are very high and high-risk zones respectively. The
highest risk areas are near the camp boundary. This study recommends a structural
intervention and first-class priority at the entrance area of the camp as it is
located within a high-risk area and is of vital importance from a functional standpoint.
These recommendations range to areas within high-risk zone in (1, 2, 7, 12) districts,
to moderate risk zone in (4,8,11) districts with precautionary and preventive measures.
In addition, some structural solutions can be implemented in several stages. This
research is significant not only for managing flood risk in Zaatari but also for
providing a replicable methodology for similar humanitarian settlements worldwide.
