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:
“Another
unprecedented IDP record tonight: 292,489 IDPs sheltered in 84 UNRWA
schools. The number of IDPs in 84 UNRWA schools is close to the
population size of Cincinnati (296,942) and Bonn (309,869, former
capital of Germany), and more than double the population of Berne,
the capital of Switzerland (127,515). The total number of IDPs
supported by UNRWA is 326,559 (including 34,070 IDPs sheltered in
government shelters).”
“The
daily updates from UNRWA might have given the erroneous impression of
an infinite absorption capacity of displaced, an unlimited ability to
respond and a sense of normalcy. The situation on the ground is a
starkly different reality.”
“Unlike
at the beginning of the escalation, however, aerial bombardments
occur during the daytime and west of the former buffer zone, where
all of UNRWA shelters are located and where the majority of the Gaza
population lives. Yesterday, over the course of 270 minutes between
08:00hrs to 12:30hrs, 6 air-to-ground missiles were reportedly fired
into Gaza City’s streets, at a cemetery and at a car, reportedly
killing 11 Palestinians including 3
children.”
“...
food aid is distributed to over 1.7 million people in
partnership with WFP, and the displaced in UNRWA and government
shelters are provided with assistance.”
“The
people we serve and aid workers, starting from the ambulance drivers
to the shelter managers, are trapped in Gaza and are physically and
emotionally exhausted. Staff movements are limited to a bare minimum
as nothing and nobody is safe.”
“The
human impact of this war is unacceptable and the devastation
unprecedented, ...”
“As
of last night, 279,389 IDPs were seeking refuge in the UN schools.
The Agency is providing assistance to almost 314,000 IDPs staying in
UNRWA schools and in 7 government shelters.”
“Before
the conflict, UNRWA, based on historical patterns, anticipated some
35,000 to 50,000 displaced people in its installations for a couple
of days should there be a military escalation. The current
number of IDPs represents 6.28 times the maximum number of 50,000
displaced foreseen in UNRWA’s contingency plan. The duration of the
escalation and the current number of IDPs in UNRWA shelters is
unprecedented in the Agency’s 64 years history in Gaza.”
“...
the IDF are given the coordinates of all UN facilities.
UNRWA personnel are continuously present at all UNRWA Installations
unless military activity has forced personnel to relocate for safety
and security reasons. Strict procedures are in place to ensure that
UNRWA installations are only used for UN purposes by civilians. UNRWA
continues to notify the Israeli Ministry of Defense of the UNRWA
installations serving as emergency shelters on a regular basis.”
“Data
on damage to UNRWA installations is based on preliminary information
and is subject to change based on further verification. Over the
course of the conflict, UNRWA estimates that 109 installations
have been damaged since 8 July 2014, the majority schools (79 out of
156 school buildings), including those serving as emergency
shelters.”
“14
of 21 health centers were operating. 78 per cent of the staff
reported to work, and 14,429 patients were served on 21 August.”
“Reportedly,
there were 51 rockets and 92 mortar shells fired towards Israel.
There were also reports that 83 air-to-ground missiles were fired
into Gaza in addition to 30 navy shells. 131 tank shells
were fired from the fence into populated areas. Reportedly, 13 houses
were bombarded.”
Full
Report:
Comments
Post a Comment