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:
“Dramatic
increase in IDP numbers due to military escalation: 261,341 displaced
in 82 UNRWA shelters.”
“According
to preliminary information by the Protection Cluster 17
killed in the past 24 hours. The cumulative Palestinian death toll
climbed to 1,999, including 467 children and 244 women. Over the
course of the military escalation, 66 Israelis were killed, including
64 soldiers, two civilians plus one foreign national.”
“Unexploded
ordnance clearance is set back to the start, which will have a
knock-on effect to UNRWA assessments of installations and shelters.
Dwellings were damaged or destroyed overnight, and one school in
Nuseirat sustained damage.”
“The
Agency is particularly concerned that out of the 417 newborn
children, who started their lives as IDPs in UNRWA schools, at
least two were born in the overcrowded classrooms. Pregnant mothers
were too scared to go to the hospitals for delivery.”
“Schools
currently used as shelters will require varying degrees of
rehabilitation in order to be ready for normal schooling, at least
some three weeks subsequent to the clearance of unexploded ordnance
through UNMAS [United Nations Mine Action Service] and IDPs moving
out of the schools. UNRWA’s 8,000 teachers are, like all
Palestinians, personally affected by the war and have lost loved
ones, their home, shelter the displaced, or volunteer to help those
in need. More than 900 education staff are working round the clock in
the shelters and are in a state of emotional and physical exhaustion.
The children, which are supposed to learn the Palestinian Authority
curriculum and a dedicated Human Rights curriculum developed by
UNRWA, have been severely affected by their experiences and as such
need to be supported in the transition back to school.”
“Security
remains a concern particularly with regards to the presence of
explosive remnants of war and the life threatening risks they imply
for children. Insecurity in their homes and precarious living
conditions will need to be addressed.”
“With
its palm fringed roads and villas, Khuza’a used to be one of the
very few pleasant locations in the Gaza Strip. Close to the
fence, the tiny town was occupied by Israel and shelled to ruins over
the past month.”
“14
of 21 health centers were operating. 94 per cent of the staff
reported to work, and 17,132 patients were served on 19 August.”
“Under
its Community Mental Health Program (CMHP), 91 UNRWA counselors
reported to the shelters on 19 August. So far the CMHP has provided
15,622 sessions encompassing mental health awareness, psychosocial
support for 130,833 parents (74,138 women and 56,695 men) and
recreational and animation activities to 147,246 children (75,175
girls and 72,071 boys). CMHP also coordinated and supervised the
implementation of 3,929 sessions by partners, covering 21,613 adult
IDP’s (14,781 women and 6,832 men) and 108,146 children (53,567
boys and 54,579 girls).”
“UNRWA’s
regular food distribution to a total caseload of over 830,000
beneficiaries continued. Food rations were provided to 7,112
families through all 12 UNRWA distribution centers.”
“Reportedly,
there were 62 rockets and 5 mortar shells fired towards Israel.
There were also reports that 85 air-to-ground missiles were fired
into Gaza in addition to 20 navy shells. 67 tank shells
were fired from the fence into populated areas. Reportedly, 8 houses
were bombarded.”
“Data
on damage to UNRWA installations is based on preliminary information
and subject to change based on further verification. UNRWA
estimates that 109 installations have been damaged since 8 July
2014.”
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Report:
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