UNRWA CALLS FOR THE PROTECTION OF YARMOUK CIVILIANS AS FIGHTING ESCALATES
02 May 2015
Jerusalem
UNRWA is increasingly alarmed about the safety of civilians in Yarmouk, amid reports overnight of armed clashes, the use of heavy weapons and air strikes. Civilians in the camp went through a night of extreme trauma and distress. We call on the Syrian Government to refrain from using explosive weapons in populated areas, including airborne weapons, whose indiscriminate effects expose civilians to imminent danger and suffering. UNRWA is closely monitoring reports of civilian fatalities and casualties.
Our concerns have been heightened because these events follow an earlier night of heavy armed attacks on 27 April, which were condemned by the UN Secretary General. With families facing unspeakable suffering, we strongly appeal for respect for civilian life and an end to any actions that might further jeopardize the safety of civilians.
Since the upsurge of violence following the entry of particular armed groups into Yarmouk on 1 April, civilians have faced increased threats and trauma on an epic scale. Thousands have fled the camp and escalating violence to neighboring areas of Damascus where UNRWA teams have been providing critical humanitarian assistance to them.
UNRWA has repeatedly expressed strong concern for the security of civilians and has demanded access to those civilians who remain inside Yarmouk. We again demand that all armed actors protect civilians in accordance with their obligations under international law and we urge all those with influence over the relevant parties, including armed groups in the camp, to demand that they fully comply with their obligations in relation to the protection of all civilians.
UNRWA will continue to monitor the situation in Yarmouk closely. At the heart of our mandate is the plight of Palestine refugees. The tragedy of Yarmouk is a reminder of the need always to ensure that Palestine refugees are supported and protected wherever they may be
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and is mandated to provide assistance and protection to a population of some 5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip to achieve their full potential in human development, pending a just solution to their plight. UNRWA’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, and microfinance.
Financial support to UNRWA has not kept pace with an increased demand for services caused by growing numbers of registered refugees, expanding need, and deepening poverty. As a result, the Agency's General Fund (GF), supporting UNRWA’s core activities and 97 per cent reliant on voluntary contributions, has begun each year with a large projected deficit. Currently the deficit stands at US$ 100 million.
For more information, please contact:
Christopher Gunness
UNRWA Spokesperson
Mobile:
+972 (0)54 240 2659
Office:
+972 (0)2 589 0267
Sami Mshasha
Chief of Communications & Arabic Language Spokesperson
Mobile:
+972 (0)54 216 8295
Office:
+972 (0)2 589 0724
Document Sources: United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)
Country: Syria
Subject: Armed conflict, Middle East situation, Protection, Refugee camps, Refugees and displaced persons, Security issues
Publication Date: 02/05/2015