Al-Hawl refugee camp, Refugee camp in Al-Hasakah Governorate, Syria.
Al-Hawl is a displacement facility in Al-Hasakah Governorate near the Syria-Iraq border. It extends across multiple sections and shelters tens of thousands of people under the supervision of humanitarian organizations.
The facility first opened in 1991 during the Gulf War but was later reopened in 2003 to serve Iraqi refugees. Its significant expansion began after 2018 when the Syrian conflict forced large-scale displacement.
The separate residential zones reflect the composition of residents and provide spaces for schooling and community meetings. Walking through, you notice how people maintain daily routines and organize their lives within these defined sections.
The facility has medical stations, water distribution points, and food distribution centers, though resources are limited. Visitors should be prepared for basic conditions and check current security information beforehand.
The facility's population grew from roughly 10,000 to 60,000 between 2019 and 2021, making it one of Syria's largest displacement centers. This rapid expansion shows the enormous impact of conflict on civilian populations in the region.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
