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:
“The
number of IDPs seeking refuge in UNRWA schools is unprecedented:
279,389 IDPs in 83 UNRWA schools. UNRWA is providing assistance
to almost 314,000 IDPs staying in UNRWA schools and in 7
government shelters in the North.”
“The
Palestinian civilian death toll continues to rise and is reaching
unacceptable proportions. Since the
night of 7 July to 21 August 2014, at least 2,030 Palestinians have
been killed by Israeli air, naval and ground strikes. According to
preliminary information recorded by the Protection Cluster, 1,444 –
71 per cent of all fatalities – are believed to be civilians,
including 475 children and 246 women. Over the course of the military
escalation it has also been reported that 66 Israelis were killed,
including 64 soldiers, two civilians plus one foreign national.”
“The
number of IDPs seeking shelter in UNRWA installations as a result of
the conduct of hostilities is unprecedented in UNRWA’s history. As
the military escalation continues, Palestinians are fleeing to UNRWA
schools in desperate search of a safe place for them and their
families. As of last night, 261,341 Palestinians took refuge in 82
UNRWA schools. The number is expected to further increase. The
anxiety, the stress caused by the constant shelling, the loss of
loved ones and homes, as well as the overall lack of perspective for
a life in Gaza contribute to increasing tensions in the overcrowded
shelters.”
“An
unexploded 900kg bomb, which was successfully defused this morning,
put the continued transfer of goods through the only functioning
border crossing with Israel, Kerem Shalom, at risk. UNRWA staff, for
example in the health centers which serve the entire Gaza population
regardless of refugee status, cannot get to work or risk their lives
in moving to their workplace. Amidst the shelling, 4 of UNRWA’s
12 distribution centers had to be closed yesterday. This impacts the
ongoing UNRWA/WFP exceptional food distribution to support all
Palestinians not currently receiving regular food aid from the two
agencies. Only 39 per cent of the initially planned rations were
distributed yesterday to families in desperate need of support.”
“As
of yesterday, airstrikes are increasingly directed towards targets in
the remaining 57 per cent of the Gaza Strip, thus increasing
the risk to the displaced sheltered in UNRWA schools. If airstrikes
to the west of the former buffer zone continue, the Agency will have
to consider opening emergency shelters in UXO [Unexploded Ordnance]
cleared installations in the former buffer zone and potentially
relocate the displaced.”
“Whilst
securing a permanent ceasefire is urgent, the Israeli blockade
must be lifted so that Palestinians can take control of their lives
instead of being trapped in a man-made cycle of aid dependency,
poverty and cyclic military escalations.”
“UNRWA
staff in Gaza face the same dangers and losses as the people they are
serving. Staff have lost colleagues, family members and friends,
had their homes destroyed and their lives devastated.”
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“One
of UNRWA’s staff members, Amjad Oweida, lost
two of his children under particularly tragic circumstances. On 4
August, his daughter Amal, 5 years old, and his son Mohammed, 12
years old, were killed in an airstrike in Rafah. The
children had insisted to leave their temporary refuge to return
home to feed the doves left behind. Two weeks after his tragic
loss, the 42-year old described the moment that scarred his life
forever: 'I did not know what was happening. I heard the
explosion but thought a neighbor's home was hit. People were
screaming. We run out of the house. Then I looked around and saw
that two of my five children were missing. I ran back when I saw
my brother holding my son Mohammed in his arms. He was barely
breathing. At that moment my mind froze. I couldn't understand
what I saw. I felt completely paralyzed.' He frantically
continued the search for his daughter and found her dead, burnt
almost beyond recognition amidst the rubble. 'My children were
only trying to feed their doves. That’s all. I could not believe
that all that was left of my beautiful daughter was something
black. I picked up her body and we ran to the hospital. My son
died as soon as we arrived.' Mr. Oweida returned to work
immediately to serve the displaced sheltered in his school,
UNRWA’s Preparatory Boys School A in Rafah, where he normally
works as a secretary. In the shelter he ensures that all 3,400
displaced get their daily food rations. 'Here are people that need
me too', he said.”
|
“Since
11 August 85,304 of the eligible 143,000 families received a 30kg
ration of flour and a 10kg ration of rice. A total of 3,884 rations
were distributed yesterday in 8 out of UNRWA’s 12 distribution
centers.”
“UNRWA’s
regular food distribution to a total caseload of over 830,000
beneficiaries continued. Food rations were provided to 3,074
families.”
“Reportedly,
there were 171 rockets and 68 mortar shells fired towards Israel.
There were also reports that 118 air-to-ground missiles were fired
into Gaza in addition to 15 navy shells. 70 tank shells
were fired from the fence into populated areas. Reportedly, 23 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.”
Full
Report:
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