24
hour reports by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)
Due to
the dramatic escalation in violence over the past few days and the
massive assault on Gaza, UNRWA has declared an emergency in all five
areas of the Gaza Strip. It is closely monitoring the situation and
stands ready to mount an emergency response should that become
necessary. The priority for the Agency has now shifted to emergency
operations, providing assistance to those who have been displaced and
sought shelter in UNRWA schools, while attempting to continue regular
operations. Urgent funding needs persist and are increasing
Key
parts:
“UNRWA
continued to focus on emergency response activities related to
internally displaced persons (IDPs) taking refuge in its designated
shelters, the provision of food and other vital supplies to families
in all five areas of the Gaza Strip, and implementation of regular
operations for the 1.2 million refugees it serves.”
“Shelter
populations remained fluid and it is expected that this will continue
until the conclusion of the current cease fire. At the time of
reporting, there remained 225,831 people sheltering in 81 UNRWA
schools. The average number of people in each UNRWA shelter is about
2,800. The total number of people UNRWA is supporting through its own
shelters and government schools, is more than 256,000. Almost half of
the displaced in UNRWA shelters are children below the age of 18.”
“In
the south of Gaza, an EOR was activated in Rafah. Dr Yousef Mousa,
Chief Area Officer for UNRWA in Rafah is also head of the Rafah EOR.
Every morning Dr Mousa gathers staff to discuss the UNRWA response to
the current situation. He says there are numerous challenges
associated with the number of IDPs sheltering in UNRWA schools,
particularly following the start of the Israeli ground invasion in
Gaza on 17 July, 'with nowhere else to go, the displaced Palestinians
started streaming into UNRWA schools, the safest place possible in
Gaza,' he said. Currently there are 13 UNRWA Designated
Emergency Shelters (DES) in Rafah, providing refuge to approximately
37,400 IDPs.”
“According
to UN information, the cumulative death toll among Palestinians
stands at 1975. Of these, 1417 are believed to be civilians,
including 459 children and 239 women.”
“Both
UNRWA’s regular food distribution to 830,000 refugees, and the
UNRWA/WFP exceptional food distribution to 143,000 families not
currently receiving regular food aid from the two agencies, used
Friday, 15 August to prepare for continued distribution in coming
days.”
“Data
on damage to UNRWA installations is based on preliminary information
and subject to change based on further verification. UNRWA
estimates that 103 installations have been damaged since 8 July
2014.”
Full
Report:
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