THE CRISIS IN YARMOUK CAMP

20 MAY 2014

Our spokesperson Chris Gunness has the following to say on the situation in Yarmouk Camp

"There were no UNRWA food distributions in the Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk, Damascus today, making it a week since our last distributions. The suspension of operations followed a serious security incident within the area in which UNRWA conducts distributions. Reports of relief items being distributed in Yarmouk since May 13th do not relate to UNRWA's operations. The Agency is urgently seeking permission from the authorities to resume its food distribution operations in Yarmouk as soon as possible. UNRWA estimates that it has met no more than 25% of the minimum food needs of civilians in Yarmouk since first accessing the area in January.

"UNRWA remains deeply concerned about the desperate humanitarian situation in Yarmouk and will continue to press for continuous, substantial and safe humanitarian access to deliver the food and other humanitarian supplies that the civilians of Yarmouk need."