THE CRISIS IN YARMOUK CAMP
18 JUNE 2014
Our spokesperson Chris Gunness has the following to say on the situation in Yarmouk Camp
Dire humanitarian crisis facing civilians in Yarmouk camp, Damascus
"No UNRWA distribution of humanitarian assistance was carried out in Yarmouk on 18 June, following sporadic clashes and shelling in and around Yarmouk overnight. This is the eleventh consecutive day that UNRWA is unable to carry out any distribution inside Yarmouk, further worsening the desperate humanitarian situation of the 18,000 civilians trapped there.
"Meanwhile, with the facilitation of Syrian authorities, UNRWA arranged for the return to Yarmouk of 21 baccalaureate students after they completed their State exams in Damascus. UNRWA supported the students during their residence at UNRWA's Palestine School and the Sa'id Al'as Centre run by the Syrian Government Department of Palestine Refugee Affairs, GAPAR, providing them with various amenities, hygiene kits and a small cash stipend.
"UNRWA is deeply concerned that armed hostilities continue to disrupt critical humanitarian operations in Yarmouk. The Agency urges all concerned parties to restore UNRWA's daily distributions of food and other humanitarian assistance to help address what remains a dire humanitarian crisis for the civilians of Yarmouk. UNRWA will continue to advocate for continuous, substantial and safe humanitarian access to Yarmouk, and stands ready to provide a wider range of assistance to civilians there."
Document Type: Press Release, Statement, Update
Document Sources: United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)
Country: Syria
Subject: Armed conflict, Food, Health, Humanitarian relief, Living conditions, Refugee camps, Refugees and displaced persons, Security issues
Publication Date: 18/06/2014