Aida (camp)

Aida
Other transcription(s)
• Arabic	مخيم عايده
• Also spelled	'Ayda (official)
Aida Location of Aida within the Palestinian territories
Coordinates: 31°43′10.34″N 35°11′56.31″E
Governorate	Bethlehem
Government
• Type	Refugee Camp (from 1950)
Area
• Jurisdiction	66 dunams (0.1 km2 / 0 sq mi)
Population (2006)
• Jurisdiction	3,260

Aida (Arabic: عايده‎) (also spelled 'Ayda) is a Palestinian refugee camp situated 2 kilometers North of Bethlehem and 1 kilometer North of Beit Jala in the central West Bank. Named after a famous coffeehouse (maqhah) located on the site in the early 1940s, Aida camp was established in 1950 and covered an area of 66 dunams.

According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, the camp had a population of approximately 3,260 refugees in mid-year 2006. It is the location of the Al Rowwad Cultural and Theatre Training Center. The Aida Refugee camp is adjacent to a new 4-star hotel, thus juxtaposing Third World and First World lifestyles in close physical proximity.

Pope Benedict XVI visited the refugee camp during his Middle East pilgrimage visit to Jordan, Israel & the Palestinian Territories in May 2009.

The mural at the entrance to the camp

Children returning home to Aida Camp from school, in front of the Israeli walls.

See also

• 'Ayda Camp (Fact Sheet)
• ‘Ayda Camp Profile
• ‘Ayda Aerial Photo
• Aida refugee camp, UNWRA
• The priorities and needs for development in ‘Ayda camp based on the community and local authorities’ assessment