Al Tanf - 33.29' N 38.41' E
Al Tanf is located in the middle of a desert. Its elevation creates drastic swings in temperature throughout the day. The summers in Al Tanf soar over 100 degrees, and winter dip well below freezing bringing ice and snow. The refugees also must contend with devastating sandstorms and high winds in their canvas tents.
Scorpions are a big problem in Al Tanf. There have been over 70 cases of scorpion bites since the inception of the camp. Fires have been another problem in the camp. The heating and cooking in the camp is all by open flame, and the tents provided by the UNHCR are made out of a canvas material that is very flammable. In 2007 there was a large fire that destroyed 7 tents and injured 28 people.
The refugee camp at Al Tanf is no place for a refugee camp to stationed. The climate is much too harsh to live in tent structures for extended periods of time.
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