Spatial Variations of Poverty Phenomenon in Nablus City, and Ways to Face It (A Study in Development Geography)

This study examined the poverty phenomenon in Nablus city with its nine zones (Rafidia, Makhfiya, Dawwar, the Old City, Ras el Ain and Khallat El Amood, Al Jabal Esh Shamali, Dhahia, Al Masaken Ash Sha'biyyeh, and Al Mantiqa As Sina'yyeh). It also examined poverty spatial distribution and variations. The study aimed at identifying levels of poverty and its indicators and types at the level of the city and at the level of the nine zones as well, and come out with recommendations for decision makers, which may reduce percentages of poverty in the city. The descriptive and the analytical approach was adopted in the study, using the stratified random sampling technique. A questionnaire was directly distributed by hand on the selected population sample in the nine zones, who answered the questions included in it. The Statistical Program for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyse the collected data. Also, results of analysis were represented cartographically to show the spatial variations of poverty levels in the city nine zones. The study showed that the prevalence of poverty in the city of Nablus is due to the Israeli occupation and the frequent siege, especially in Al Aqsa Intifada in September 2000. Also, the study showed the the percentage of spending poverty in the city is 47.9%, while that of income poverty is 42.6%. Percentage of poverty varied from one zone to another. Zones of the Old city, Ras el Ain and Khallat el Amood, Al Mantiqa As Sina'yy, and Al Masaken Esh Sha'biyya were the poorest, then Dhahia came next, while zones of Rafidia, Makhfiyya, Al Jabal Ash Shamali, and Dawwar had lower percentages of poverty. The study also showed that the distributed aid did not reach all the poor people, and about 30.4% of the families who got aid do not deserve that aid, and this is called error of inclusion. It was clear from the study results that the Palestinian refugees who lives in the city of Nablus were the poorest, and the percentage of poverty among them was 57.9%, while that of the residents was 45.4%. The study recommended that it is essential to establish productive projects in the city, inorder to reduce the unemployment rate, and increase levels of income, particularly in the poorest zones. Also, the study recommended to consider a minimum limit of salaries, in order to face the unfare treatment of employers to the employees. Aids of UNRWA to the Palestinian refugees should continue and become better because the study showed that poverty levels are highest among refugees in the city. To reduce levels of poverty in Nablus in particular and in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in general, the rich Arab countries are to be asked to reopen their labor markets for the Palestinians after their closure in 2003 (the Second Gulf War). In order to secure the reach of aids to the poor, the study recommended to create a professional team of sociology to conduct an accurate social survey to identify thoroughly the real poor families.