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:
“IDP
numbers on the rise. Currently 292,959 IDPs in 85 UNRWA schools.
Average IDP population per UNRWA school is 3,482. The total number of
IDPs staying in shelters supported by UNRWA is 327,118 (including
34,159 IDPs in 7 government shelters).”
“Israeli
news reports last night that a rocket was launched from an UNRWA
school were false. Israeli officials retracted their
earlier claim that the rocket which killed a four-year-old child in
Southern Israel was launched from an UNRWA school in the Gaza Strip.
UNRWA calls upon the media outlets that rushed to report the incident
without seeking confirmation from UNRWA to also report the Israeli
army retraction.”
“UNRWA
is working under incredible pressure in Gaza, providing assistance to
hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the fighting and
effectively supporting the entire population of the Gaza Strip
through various interventions.”
“According
to preliminary information recorded by the Protection Cluster, the
cumulative death toll among Palestinians stands at 2,048. 1,441 –
70 per cent – are believed to be civilians, including 479 children
and 249 women. Over the course of the military escalation, 67
Israelis were killed, including 64 soldiers, three civilians,
including the four year old child yesterday, plus one foreign
national.”
“UNRWA
is expecting a further increase in IDP numbers, as aerial
bombardments continue day and night. IDF messages are delivered
through leaflets, voice mail and texts to the inhabitants of the Gaza
Strip. The messages, stating 'the battle is open' and warning
civilians to stay away from terrorists and terror infrastructure as
the IDF will continue their attacks, cause major panic amongst the
population.”
“Over
460,000 Palestinians – a quarter of the total population – are
internally displaced. The majority of the displaced are sheltered
in 84 UNRWA schools.”
“As
of last night, 61,206 school-aged children between 6 and 14 were
staying in UNRWA’s shelters. This represents a quarter of the
school children UNRWA was expecting for the new 2014/15 school year
which was due to start tomorrow 24 August. UNRWA will ring the bells
in all UNRWA schools tomorrow morning, host a symbolic ceremony and
organize in each school an assembly facilitated by school principals.
In coordination with the Ministry of Education, UNRWA is also working
on the emergency education plan.”
“People
with disabilities face additional difficulties coping with the
violence of the conflict, fleeing their homes and being displaced in
shelters. People who had existing disabilities before the start of
this conflict were especially vulnerable when violence escalated, and
people who have acquired disabilities during the conflict now face a
long road to recovery. An estimated 1,000 of the 3,000 children
who have been injured will suffer from a life-long disability.”
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“Ms.
Fatma Audeh Abu-Sawaween, an UNRWA teacher who has five daughters,
spoke about difficulties in reaching the UNRWA shelter with her
disabled daughter when she fled her home. Maysson is a 15 year-old
girl taking refuge in an UNRWA shelter in Rafah. When Maysson’s
family fled shelling near their home, she was afraid as she could
not move due to her disability and was dependent on other people
assisting her.”
“Mr.
Monther Muneer Abu Shehada is a 30 year-old man staying in a
shelter with his family in Maghazi. He had to flee his home with
seven family members. Two of his sons are blind, and he held
their hands as the family fled, while his wife carried their young
baby and helped the disabled grandfather. The old man asked to be
left behind as he did not want to be a burden to the family, but
his son refused, saying he would carry his father to the shelter
if he had to.”
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“For
people who have acquired disabilities through the recent violence,
they will face additional difficulties even after the conflict ends.
Children will face barriers in accessing education and adults may
have difficulty returning to the work they used to do.”
“Throughout
the war, UNRWA has distributed food to the current caseload of
over 830,000 people.”
“Reportedly,
there were 114 rockets and 58 mortar shells fired towards Israel.
There were also reports that 91 air-to-ground missiles were fired
into Gaza in addition to 28 navy shells. 101 tank shells
were fired from the fence into populated areas. Reportedly, 13 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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