THE CRISIS IN YARMOUK CAMP
15 MAY 2014
Our spokesperson Chris Gunness has the following to say on the situation in Yarmouk Camp
"There was no distribution today of UNRWA food parcels to civilians in the Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk in Damascus. Distributions have not been possible since 13 May, when two government military personnel were shot within the area in which UNRWA conducts distribution operations. One of the personnel was killed and the other critically injured. UNRWA is closely monitoring the situation in Yarmouk and consulting with the authorities with a view to resuming the safe distribution of food as soon as possible.
"UNRWA remains deeply concerned that recourse to armed force in Yarmouk has once again disrupted its efforts to alleviate the plight of over 18,000 trapped civilians. While progress in food distribution had been encouraging in the days prior to 13 May, UNRWA's efforts are dwarfed by the sheer scale of the needs of Yarmouk's civilians. UNRWA will continue to press for sustained conditions of safety and calm that will allow its staff continuously to deliver the significant amounts of food and other humanitarian supplies such s medicines that the civilians of Yarmouk need.
"To ensure that continuous, substantial and safe humanitarian access is indefinitely ensured, UNRWA demands that hostilities cease and that the differences underlying the armed conflict in Yarmouk and elsewhere in Syria be resolved exclusively by peaceful means."
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, Humanitarian relief, Living conditions, Refugee camps, Refugees and displaced persons, Security issues
Publication Date: 16/05/2014