 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Refugee Stories
The Earth Gives Way
The earth literally gave way this morning in northern Gaza when a reservoir collapsed in the Bedouin village of Um Nasser, flooding the village with sewage and killing at least four people. A four year-old boy and a 70 year-old woman are among the dead. More than 30 people were injured, with many more unaccounted for. It is feared that some may be trapped underneath rubble. Ten houses were destroyed, with hundreds more damaged.
Musa Jaber, a 28 year-old Palestine refugee and father of five, said that he and his family ran from the floods. "The waters destroyed houses, tents, shelters, everything in its way. It was very high, more than a metre. And horrifying! Women and children were screaming at the top of their lungs for help". Jaber, like many residents, took children and the more vulnerable to an area close to the village mosque, since it was on higher ground and safer. It is estimated that between 3,000 and 6,000 inhabitants will evacuate the area in the coming hours, as the flood waters spread to outlying areas.
UNRWA'S Gaza field office responded immediately to the crisis, dispatching staff and joint survey teams to the area. Bulldozers were brought in to create earth mounds to contain the flooding, and tents will be erected to house the displaced. Water trucks have been brought in and arrangements for emergency food aid are underway.
Other UN and aid agencies will help to provide food, mattresses, blankets and hygiene kits for the displaced. Beit Lahia, Gaza Strip,
27 March 2007
|
|
 |
