20 apr 2013
European study condemns UN inaction regarding condition of Palestinians in Syria
A European legal study called for providing security, legal and relief protection for Palestinian refugees inside the camps in Syria and on its borders with Lebanon and Jordan. The study issued by the Euro-Mediterranean Observatory for Human Rights in Geneva, the Action Group For Palestinians of Syria in London and the Palestinian Return Centre in London confirms that 600 thousand Palestinian refugees have left Syria heading to Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Egypt and Libya, since the outbreak of the Syrian crisis on March 15, 2011.
According to the study, the dire humanitarian situation experienced by Palestinian refugees in Syria has become more and more complicated; after being dragged to the Syrian internal conflict by the conflicting parties, in addition to being neglected by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) which does not provide the necessary assistance for the refugees and the displaced.
The study also points out that the Jordanian government refuses to allow the Palestinian refugees to enter its territories, in violation of the international law, while the Lebanese government puts obstacles to the regularization of the situation of refugees who have entered the Lebanese territory.
Nearly 20 thousand Palestinian refugees from Syria live in catastrophic conditions in Lebanon, which has forced large numbers of them to resort to the Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon that are originally not able to receive them, reported the legal study.
The number of Palestinian refugees killed in Syria reached 995, in light of the continued daily military operations against the UNRWA's refugee camps and the sieges imposed on them.
The three international institutions demanded the concerned authorities, especially the UNRWA and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), to take all the necessary measures to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian refugees in Syria.
According to the study, the dire humanitarian situation experienced by Palestinian refugees in Syria has become more and more complicated; after being dragged to the Syrian internal conflict by the conflicting parties, in addition to being neglected by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) which does not provide the necessary assistance for the refugees and the displaced.
The study also points out that the Jordanian government refuses to allow the Palestinian refugees to enter its territories, in violation of the international law, while the Lebanese government puts obstacles to the regularization of the situation of refugees who have entered the Lebanese territory.
Nearly 20 thousand Palestinian refugees from Syria live in catastrophic conditions in Lebanon, which has forced large numbers of them to resort to the Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon that are originally not able to receive them, reported the legal study.
The number of Palestinian refugees killed in Syria reached 995, in light of the continued daily military operations against the UNRWA's refugee camps and the sieges imposed on them.
The three international institutions demanded the concerned authorities, especially the UNRWA and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), to take all the necessary measures to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian refugees in Syria.
17 apr 2013
Watchdog group demands UNRWA to cancel its decision to end cash aid
UNRWA Watch, a committee founded to watch the agency's performance, demanded the UNRWA to backtrack on its decision to end the cash assistance it used to provide for the needy and poor families in the Gaza Strip.
In a press release on Tuesday, the watchdog committee stated that the UNRWA violated the authorization it was granted by the UN general assembly which stated in its resolution 302 that the UNRWA was established in 1949 to carry out direct relief and works programs for Palestinian refugees until their cause is solved.
It emphasized that it is not permissible for the UNRWA to shrink or end its relief services and it has to procure the funding necessary and sufficient for its programs.
Any shortcomings in its services would be considered an administrative failure and those responsible must be held accountable or replaced, the committee said, adding that the Palestinian refugees must not bear the consequences of the wrong administrative decisions taken by the UNRWA officials.
The committee also accused the UNRWA of implicating itself in political matters that have nothing to do with its relief mission.
"The UNRWA is a humanitarian relief organization and any intervention by its side in political issues is considered involvement in duties beyond the mandate given to it, and there are examples of its political interference such as its decision to prevent its Palestinian employees from taking part in political or charitable activities outside their working hours as well as its refusal to build the homes destroyed by the occupation for those who have political or military activities," the committee underlined.
The committee also demanded the UNRWA to necessarily disclose the standards it follows regarding its social safety net program and to separate between its job creation program and the food and cash programs provided for the poor families.
In a press release on Tuesday, the watchdog committee stated that the UNRWA violated the authorization it was granted by the UN general assembly which stated in its resolution 302 that the UNRWA was established in 1949 to carry out direct relief and works programs for Palestinian refugees until their cause is solved.
It emphasized that it is not permissible for the UNRWA to shrink or end its relief services and it has to procure the funding necessary and sufficient for its programs.
Any shortcomings in its services would be considered an administrative failure and those responsible must be held accountable or replaced, the committee said, adding that the Palestinian refugees must not bear the consequences of the wrong administrative decisions taken by the UNRWA officials.
The committee also accused the UNRWA of implicating itself in political matters that have nothing to do with its relief mission.
"The UNRWA is a humanitarian relief organization and any intervention by its side in political issues is considered involvement in duties beyond the mandate given to it, and there are examples of its political interference such as its decision to prevent its Palestinian employees from taking part in political or charitable activities outside their working hours as well as its refusal to build the homes destroyed by the occupation for those who have political or military activities," the committee underlined.
The committee also demanded the UNRWA to necessarily disclose the standards it follows regarding its social safety net program and to separate between its job creation program and the food and cash programs provided for the poor families.
16 apr 2013
Five Palestinian refugees killed in Syria yesterday
Five Palestinian refugees were killed on Monday during clashes and projectile attacks on refugee camps in Syria.
The action group for the Palestinians in Syria said on Tuesday that a young man named Oday Qendeel from Husseiniya refugee camp died of wounds he sustained two days ago when a projectile fell on his home.
Two other young men were also killed in projectile attacks on Khan Younis refugee camp in Damascus and another was killed during the armed clashes that took place yesterday in Al-Yarmouk camp.
A projectile believed to be fired by the Syrian regime forces also fell in the vicinity of Abdul-Qader Husseini Mosque killing one young man and rendering many others injured.
The action group pointed out that the living conditions in Handarat refugee camp deteriorated very seriously and many vital food supplies, including flour and milk, completely ran out as a result of the violent armed clashes taking place around the camp.
The action group for the Palestinians in Syria said on Tuesday that a young man named Oday Qendeel from Husseiniya refugee camp died of wounds he sustained two days ago when a projectile fell on his home.
Two other young men were also killed in projectile attacks on Khan Younis refugee camp in Damascus and another was killed during the armed clashes that took place yesterday in Al-Yarmouk camp.
A projectile believed to be fired by the Syrian regime forces also fell in the vicinity of Abdul-Qader Husseini Mosque killing one young man and rendering many others injured.
The action group pointed out that the living conditions in Handarat refugee camp deteriorated very seriously and many vital food supplies, including flour and milk, completely ran out as a result of the violent armed clashes taking place around the camp.
Sit-in outside UNRWA protesting the reduction of its services
Palestinian refugees staged a sit on Monday for the second time outside the headquarters of UNRWA in Gaza protesting against the reduction of the services provided by the international agency to the refugees in Gaza.
The Palestinian refugees demonstrated continuously throughout the past two weeks calling on UNRWA to stop the reduction of its services.
UNRWA re-opened its offices in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, after receiving guarantees to protect its staff and its headquarters, where its headquarters was stormed by angry protesters in Gaza.
The protestors threatened to escalate their protest steps in the coming days until the UNRWA stops the reduction of services.
The Palestinian refugees demonstrated continuously throughout the past two weeks calling on UNRWA to stop the reduction of its services.
UNRWA re-opened its offices in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, after receiving guarantees to protect its staff and its headquarters, where its headquarters was stormed by angry protesters in Gaza.
The protestors threatened to escalate their protest steps in the coming days until the UNRWA stops the reduction of services.
14 apr 2013
Two Palestinians killed in Syria and refugee camps still besieged
The action group for the Palestinians in Syria said two Palestinian refugees were killed on Saturday in Damascus and Homs, and affirmed that different refugee camps are still exposed to intermittent shelling by the Syrian regime forces.
In a report on Sunday, the action group said that Mahmoud Akla was killed in the clashes that took place yesterday in Bab Hood area in Homs, while Anas Al-Kabra was killed in armed clashes in Al-Yarmouk camp in Damascus.
The group said that Al-Yarmouk refugee camp suffers from a power and water crisis, which led to the deterioration of the living conditions in the camp.
It added that the Syrian regime forces still prevent the entry of food and medical supplies except for small quantities.
The Palestinians in Aideen refugee camp in Homs also suffer from harsh living conditions, and there are an acute shortage of fuel, bread and many vital needs, not to mention that the water service was cut to their homes.
Meanwhile, the armed clashes between the regime forces and the free army in the vicinity of Handarat refugee camp resulted in the closure of the roads leading to the camp and rendered it under tight blockade.
Most of the medical and food supplies have also run out from the markets of Handarat camp.
As for Sabina refugee camp, there is a humanitarian crisis in every sense of the world, where no single bakery is open and the Palestinian refugees cannot meet their food needs as a result of the ongoing siege imposed on the camp.
In a report on Sunday, the action group said that Mahmoud Akla was killed in the clashes that took place yesterday in Bab Hood area in Homs, while Anas Al-Kabra was killed in armed clashes in Al-Yarmouk camp in Damascus.
The group said that Al-Yarmouk refugee camp suffers from a power and water crisis, which led to the deterioration of the living conditions in the camp.
It added that the Syrian regime forces still prevent the entry of food and medical supplies except for small quantities.
The Palestinians in Aideen refugee camp in Homs also suffer from harsh living conditions, and there are an acute shortage of fuel, bread and many vital needs, not to mention that the water service was cut to their homes.
Meanwhile, the armed clashes between the regime forces and the free army in the vicinity of Handarat refugee camp resulted in the closure of the roads leading to the camp and rendered it under tight blockade.
Most of the medical and food supplies have also run out from the markets of Handarat camp.
As for Sabina refugee camp, there is a humanitarian crisis in every sense of the world, where no single bakery is open and the Palestinian refugees cannot meet their food needs as a result of the ongoing siege imposed on the camp.
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12 apr 2013
ANERA On The Ground Report: Palestinian Refugees from Syria
Tens of thousands of Palestinian refugees escaping the violence in Syria have fled to Lebanon. They endure terrible living conditions in already poor and overcrowded Palestinian refugee camps.
This vulnerable group of people, who are deeply affected by the Syrian crisis, are often overlooked by the international community.
ANERA's survey of their needs, published in March 2013, reveals that:
About ANERA:
For more than 45 years, ANERA has been a leading provider of development, health, education and employment programs to Palestinian communities and impoverished families throughout the Middle East. In FY 2012, the relief and development agency delivered more than $40 million of programs to the people of the West Bank, Gaza, Lebanon and Jordan.
This vulnerable group of people, who are deeply affected by the Syrian crisis, are often overlooked by the international community.
ANERA's survey of their needs, published in March 2013, reveals that:
- Seven in ten families are living 20 or more people to a room,
- A third of the refugees are living in dilapidated, unsafe shelters
- Only 10% have access to any sort of income
- Two-thirds of refugee families cannot provide three meals a day for their children
About ANERA:
For more than 45 years, ANERA has been a leading provider of development, health, education and employment programs to Palestinian communities and impoverished families throughout the Middle East. In FY 2012, the relief and development agency delivered more than $40 million of programs to the people of the West Bank, Gaza, Lebanon and Jordan.
10 apr 2013
110 Palestinian families flee Syria to Gaza
At least 110 Palestinian families have fled Syria to the Gaza Strip, a refugee affairs official in Gaza said Wednesday.
Issam al-Adwan, who heads the Hamas government's refugee affairs department, said a growing number of Palestinian refugees were arriving in Gaza to escape the two-year conflict in Syria.
Al-Adwan told Ma'an that representatives of the families met with officials from the government and from UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.
They asked for residence, employment and food aid, al-Adwan said.
UNRWA is providing a temporary housing allowance of $125 each month to the families and the government has provided the refugees with temporary employment, the official said.
At least 1,000 Palestinians have been killed in the uprising against Syrian President Bashar Assad.
Most Palestinians fleeing refugee camps in Syria headed to Lebanon.
Issam al-Adwan, who heads the Hamas government's refugee affairs department, said a growing number of Palestinian refugees were arriving in Gaza to escape the two-year conflict in Syria.
Al-Adwan told Ma'an that representatives of the families met with officials from the government and from UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.
They asked for residence, employment and food aid, al-Adwan said.
UNRWA is providing a temporary housing allowance of $125 each month to the families and the government has provided the refugees with temporary employment, the official said.
At least 1,000 Palestinians have been killed in the uprising against Syrian President Bashar Assad.
Most Palestinians fleeing refugee camps in Syria headed to Lebanon.
9 apr 2013
UNRWA reopens its Gaza offices after reassurances
The UNRWA on Tuesday decided to reopen all its food distribution and social service centers in the Gaza Strip after receiving assurances from the Palestinian government about the safety of its employees. Several hundred Palestinian refugees have been protesting outside the UNRWA main headquarters in Gaza since early last week, following cuts to a cash assistance program.
Protests against the cuts turned violent on April 4, when demonstrators stormed the offices, prompting the UNRWA to shut down all its relief and distribution centers in the Gaza Strip.
"While the UNRWA understands the frustration of the population, heightened by the tightened blockade on the Gaza Strip, and respects the right to peaceful demonstrations, it must ensure the safety and security of its staff," it said in a press release.
It warned that its centers would again be closed if its staff or facilities faced further threats.
In a related incident, dozens of Palestinian refugees participated on Monday morning in a rally outside the UNRWA main headquarters in Gaza city protesting its decision to shrink the cash assistance it provides for them.
They expressed their anger against the UNRWA persistence in increasing their suffering through decisions aimed at starving them.
An aged woman named Umm Ahmed Mansour told the Palestinian information center (PIC) that the UNRWA deliberately decreased its relief services and misappropriated the financial support allocated to them.
Umm Ahmed added that the living and health conditions of the refugees in Gaza are very harsh and tragic, and the UNRWA is there to take good care of their needs and not to tire them out in protests and appeals.
Protests against the cuts turned violent on April 4, when demonstrators stormed the offices, prompting the UNRWA to shut down all its relief and distribution centers in the Gaza Strip.
"While the UNRWA understands the frustration of the population, heightened by the tightened blockade on the Gaza Strip, and respects the right to peaceful demonstrations, it must ensure the safety and security of its staff," it said in a press release.
It warned that its centers would again be closed if its staff or facilities faced further threats.
In a related incident, dozens of Palestinian refugees participated on Monday morning in a rally outside the UNRWA main headquarters in Gaza city protesting its decision to shrink the cash assistance it provides for them.
They expressed their anger against the UNRWA persistence in increasing their suffering through decisions aimed at starving them.
An aged woman named Umm Ahmed Mansour told the Palestinian information center (PIC) that the UNRWA deliberately decreased its relief services and misappropriated the financial support allocated to them.
Umm Ahmed added that the living and health conditions of the refugees in Gaza are very harsh and tragic, and the UNRWA is there to take good care of their needs and not to tire them out in protests and appeals.
8 apr 2013
Three Palestinians including child killed in Syria
Three Palestinian refugees in Syria were killed during the past twenty-four hours after their refugee camps came under Syrian regular army shelling. Action Group for Palestinian refugees in Syria stated in a press release on Monday that among the martyrs was the child Jinin Sbaki who was killed in shelling on Zein neighborhood in the Yarmouk refugee camp. Four other children were injured during the shelling.
Kholoud Kadya was martyred during the bombing of Khan Sheikh refugee camp, in addition to the Palestinian refugee Sherif al-Khatib who was shot by a sniper in Aleppo.
The Syrian security forces arrested Ibrahim Abdel-Hafiz in Dummar Balad area, the Working Group said, adding that three Palestinian refugees went missing since Thursday after they got out of Yarmouk refugee camp.
On the other hand, Palestine Charity Commission announced that 50 new graves were dug in Yarmouk cemetery in order to ensure the rapid burial of the victims.
The Working Group said that the Palestinian refugee camps suffer an acute shortage in food, medicines, and fuel in addition to continued power and communication outages.
Kholoud Kadya was martyred during the bombing of Khan Sheikh refugee camp, in addition to the Palestinian refugee Sherif al-Khatib who was shot by a sniper in Aleppo.
The Syrian security forces arrested Ibrahim Abdel-Hafiz in Dummar Balad area, the Working Group said, adding that three Palestinian refugees went missing since Thursday after they got out of Yarmouk refugee camp.
On the other hand, Palestine Charity Commission announced that 50 new graves were dug in Yarmouk cemetery in order to ensure the rapid burial of the victims.
The Working Group said that the Palestinian refugee camps suffer an acute shortage in food, medicines, and fuel in addition to continued power and communication outages.
7 apr 2013
160,000 Palestinian refugees below poverty line in Lebanon
Around 160,000 Palestinians are living below the poverty line in refugee camps in Lebanon, the ambassador to Beirut says.
Nearly 13,000 Palestinian refugees are living in extreme poverty in Lebanon, Ashraf Dabour told Ma'an.
Palestinian refugees are banned from entering 75 professions in Lebanon. "Practicing any of these careers is considered a breach of Lebanese law," Dabour said.
The Lebanese parliament amended a law restricting Palestinian refugees' access to work. "However, the Lebanese cabinet has not put that amendment into effect," the Palestinian ambassador said.
"We hear sweet talk from Lebanese officials about the Palestinian refugees' right to work and live in dignity, but in reality nothing is translated into action."
Dabour said the Palestinian health sector in Lebanon owed hospitals around $2 million. "There are some medical procedures which our health security program in Lebanon can't afford, and I hereby urge Arab and Palestinian businessmen to help our people in refugee camps in Lebanon."
Asked if Palestinian Authority projects to help refugees in Lebanon had eased peoples' suffering, Dabour said the Ramallah-based government was doing its best "but the PA itself is facing a financial crisis and that reflects on its role to help refugees in Lebanon."
Nearly 13,000 Palestinian refugees are living in extreme poverty in Lebanon, Ashraf Dabour told Ma'an.
Palestinian refugees are banned from entering 75 professions in Lebanon. "Practicing any of these careers is considered a breach of Lebanese law," Dabour said.
The Lebanese parliament amended a law restricting Palestinian refugees' access to work. "However, the Lebanese cabinet has not put that amendment into effect," the Palestinian ambassador said.
"We hear sweet talk from Lebanese officials about the Palestinian refugees' right to work and live in dignity, but in reality nothing is translated into action."
Dabour said the Palestinian health sector in Lebanon owed hospitals around $2 million. "There are some medical procedures which our health security program in Lebanon can't afford, and I hereby urge Arab and Palestinian businessmen to help our people in refugee camps in Lebanon."
Asked if Palestinian Authority projects to help refugees in Lebanon had eased peoples' suffering, Dabour said the Ramallah-based government was doing its best "but the PA itself is facing a financial crisis and that reflects on its role to help refugees in Lebanon."
2 Palestinians killed in Syria camp shelling
A Palestinian man and a woman were killed in Syria late Saturday, bringing the Palestinian death toll to 1,206 since the conflict began, an activist group said.
“Sharif al-Khartib who carries the Palestinian nationality and lives in Hindarat refugee camp was shot dead in al-Awaijeh area in Halah," the working group for Palestinians said.
"Khulod al-Qadiyeh was killed in shelling on Khan al-Shiekh refugee camp,” it added.
Also Saturday, in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, nine children were among at least 15 people killed in an airstrike on a mainly Kurdish district, a watchdog said.
"The number of people killed in an air strike on the western edges of Sheikh Maksoud has risen to 15 ... Among them were nine children aged under 18 years and three women," said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
It was not immediately clear if any of the casualties were fighters from the Democratic Union Party, Syria's branch of Turkey's outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, the Britain-based Observatory said.
“Sharif al-Khartib who carries the Palestinian nationality and lives in Hindarat refugee camp was shot dead in al-Awaijeh area in Halah," the working group for Palestinians said.
"Khulod al-Qadiyeh was killed in shelling on Khan al-Shiekh refugee camp,” it added.
Also Saturday, in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, nine children were among at least 15 people killed in an airstrike on a mainly Kurdish district, a watchdog said.
"The number of people killed in an air strike on the western edges of Sheikh Maksoud has risen to 15 ... Among them were nine children aged under 18 years and three women," said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
It was not immediately clear if any of the casualties were fighters from the Democratic Union Party, Syria's branch of Turkey's outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, the Britain-based Observatory said.
6 apr 2013
Euro-mid slams UNRWA for closing its aid offices in Gaza
The Euro-mid observer for human rights strongly denounced the UNRWA for closing its offices in the Gaza Strip after Palestinian refugees rallied in protest at its shrinking services outside its main headquarters there. "It is unjust to threaten to cut off aid distribution to eligible and needy refugees in Gaza in response to demonstrations," the Euro-mid observer stated in a press release on Saturday.
"The closure of the Gaza 12 aid centers will directly affect about 25,000 refugees who receive aid daily," the observer added.
The observer said that the UNRWA is required to undertake its responsibilities and make greater efforts with the international community and donor countries in order to maintain the level of its humanitarian aid which it provides to more than 800,000 Palestinian refugees, who constitute about two thirds of the population of Gaza.
It pointed out that Gaza refugees, who live in very harsh living conditions, have adjusted their lives depending on the size and the timing of the aid they receive from the UNRWA.
"Such urgency and priority require UNRWA to reconsider its spending cuts for this program (financial aid) and turn that reduction to other programs that are less important to avoid affecting its most significant service," the observer underlined.
On April 1st, UNRWA froze its financial assistance for 21,000 families in the Gaza Strip, which affected about 100,000 refugees, and replaced it with a three- month employment program for about 10,000 families only.
The suspension of the financial aid prompted tens of Palestinian refugees to protest outside the UNRWA main headquarters, which ended with storming its front gate last Thursday.
"The closure of the Gaza 12 aid centers will directly affect about 25,000 refugees who receive aid daily," the observer added.
The observer said that the UNRWA is required to undertake its responsibilities and make greater efforts with the international community and donor countries in order to maintain the level of its humanitarian aid which it provides to more than 800,000 Palestinian refugees, who constitute about two thirds of the population of Gaza.
It pointed out that Gaza refugees, who live in very harsh living conditions, have adjusted their lives depending on the size and the timing of the aid they receive from the UNRWA.
"Such urgency and priority require UNRWA to reconsider its spending cuts for this program (financial aid) and turn that reduction to other programs that are less important to avoid affecting its most significant service," the observer underlined.
On April 1st, UNRWA froze its financial assistance for 21,000 families in the Gaza Strip, which affected about 100,000 refugees, and replaced it with a three- month employment program for about 10,000 families only.
The suspension of the financial aid prompted tens of Palestinian refugees to protest outside the UNRWA main headquarters, which ended with storming its front gate last Thursday.
5 apr 2013
UN urged to resume aid to Palestinians
Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has called on the United Nations to resume its food aid for thousands of Palestinian refugees in the besieged Gaza Strip.
“This is an unjustified step from UNRWA (UN Relief and Works Agency),” Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said on Friday. “There is a right of peaceful protest for Palestinian refugees,” he added.
On Thursday, dozens of people in Gaza forcefully entered the office of the UNRWA in the blockaded Palestinian territory, calling for the reinstatement of a monthly allowance to poor Palestinian families.
The cash allowance has been cut since April 1 due to UNRWA budget cuts.
“We call on UNRWA to reevaluate its position and not to overreact to residents’ protest,” Abu Zuhri stated.
The UN agency had earlier said in a statement that it fully understood the “impact the decision to suspend cash assistance had on some of our beneficiaries.”
It added that the recent wave of protests had forced UNRWA to close many of its depots in the Gaza Strip.
The statement further said, “With the situation further compounded by today’s actions, all relief and distribution centers will consequently remain closed until guarantees are given by all relevant groups that UNRWA operations can continue unhindered.”
Meanwhile, Abu Zuhri ensured that UNRWA staff members were in no danger. He said Hamas security forces would provide “appropriate conditions for UNRWA’s work.”
The Israeli siege on Gaza has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the impoverished Palestinian enclave, having turned the territory into the world’s largest open-air prison.
“This is an unjustified step from UNRWA (UN Relief and Works Agency),” Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said on Friday. “There is a right of peaceful protest for Palestinian refugees,” he added.
On Thursday, dozens of people in Gaza forcefully entered the office of the UNRWA in the blockaded Palestinian territory, calling for the reinstatement of a monthly allowance to poor Palestinian families.
The cash allowance has been cut since April 1 due to UNRWA budget cuts.
“We call on UNRWA to reevaluate its position and not to overreact to residents’ protest,” Abu Zuhri stated.
The UN agency had earlier said in a statement that it fully understood the “impact the decision to suspend cash assistance had on some of our beneficiaries.”
It added that the recent wave of protests had forced UNRWA to close many of its depots in the Gaza Strip.
The statement further said, “With the situation further compounded by today’s actions, all relief and distribution centers will consequently remain closed until guarantees are given by all relevant groups that UNRWA operations can continue unhindered.”
Meanwhile, Abu Zuhri ensured that UNRWA staff members were in no danger. He said Hamas security forces would provide “appropriate conditions for UNRWA’s work.”
The Israeli siege on Gaza has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the impoverished Palestinian enclave, having turned the territory into the world’s largest open-air prison.
UNRWA Suspends Gaza Distribution
The main UN humanitarian agency for Palestinians said on Thursday it was suspending operations in the Gaza Strip after demonstrators angered by aid cutbacks stormed its headquarters. Some 800,000 Palestinians, two-thirds of Gaza's population, depend on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and the shuttering could exacerbate hardship caused by Israeli and Egyptian controls on the isolated enclave's borders.
Citing budget shortfalls, UNRWA said it had suspended some of its cash handouts and that this provoked violent protests this week, culminating in Thursday's breach of its Gaza headquarters.
"What happened today was completely unacceptable: the situation could very easily have resulted in serious injuries to UNRWA staff and to the demonstrators. This escalation, apparently pre-planned, was unwarranted and unprecedented," Robert Turner, head of the agency's Gaza operations.
"All relief and distribution centers will consequently remain closed until guarantees are given by all relevant groups that UNRWA operations can continue unhindered," he said in a statement.
Gaza security officials had no immediate comment.
Turner said that despite the trimming of cash disbursements, UNRWA's food distribution in Gaza "will continue unchanged".
Citing budget shortfalls, UNRWA said it had suspended some of its cash handouts and that this provoked violent protests this week, culminating in Thursday's breach of its Gaza headquarters.
"What happened today was completely unacceptable: the situation could very easily have resulted in serious injuries to UNRWA staff and to the demonstrators. This escalation, apparently pre-planned, was unwarranted and unprecedented," Robert Turner, head of the agency's Gaza operations.
"All relief and distribution centers will consequently remain closed until guarantees are given by all relevant groups that UNRWA operations can continue unhindered," he said in a statement.
Gaza security officials had no immediate comment.
Turner said that despite the trimming of cash disbursements, UNRWA's food distribution in Gaza "will continue unchanged".
4 apr 2013
Grandi: 30,000 Palestinian refugees fled Syria
UNRWA Commissioner-General Filippo Grandi has revealed that more than 30,000 Palestinian refugees have fled Syria to neighboring countries.
Grandi said in a press release on Wednesday after meeting premier of the Lebanese caretaker government Najib Mikati that the discussion tackled the conditions of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon especially those who fled Syria to Lebanon.
He affirmed that more than 30,000 of Palestinian refugee in Syria had sought refuge in neighboring countries but did not mention the period in which those refugees had left their camps in Syria.
Human rights groups had warned of a humanitarian disaster in Palestinian refugee camps in Syria due to the continued shelling on the part of the Syrian regular army that worsened the living conditions in those camps where basic services are absent and most supplies are out of stock.
Grandi said in a press release on Wednesday after meeting premier of the Lebanese caretaker government Najib Mikati that the discussion tackled the conditions of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon especially those who fled Syria to Lebanon.
He affirmed that more than 30,000 of Palestinian refugee in Syria had sought refuge in neighboring countries but did not mention the period in which those refugees had left their camps in Syria.
Human rights groups had warned of a humanitarian disaster in Palestinian refugee camps in Syria due to the continued shelling on the part of the Syrian regular army that worsened the living conditions in those camps where basic services are absent and most supplies are out of stock.
2 apr 2013
Palestinian refugees rally in protest at UNRWA shrinking services
Palestinian refugees on Monday rallied outside an UNRWA ration office south of Gaza in protests at reducing their financial support from the agency and suspending the emergency and unemployment programs.
The refugees also closed the main door of the office and carried banners protesting the UNRWA shrinking services. Their rally took place at the invitation of the democratic front's labor bloc and the popular committee for the UNRWA beneficiaries.
Some of the protesting refugees expressed their rejection of all starvation policies pursued by the international community against the Palestinian people and said they would not surrender to these unjust policies.
For his part, head of the popular committee for the UNRWA beneficiaries Bassam Al-Duhaini said that the refugees would continue to refuse the receipt of aid from UNRWA offices until it improves its services.
The refugees also closed the main door of the office and carried banners protesting the UNRWA shrinking services. Their rally took place at the invitation of the democratic front's labor bloc and the popular committee for the UNRWA beneficiaries.
Some of the protesting refugees expressed their rejection of all starvation policies pursued by the international community against the Palestinian people and said they would not surrender to these unjust policies.
For his part, head of the popular committee for the UNRWA beneficiaries Bassam Al-Duhaini said that the refugees would continue to refuse the receipt of aid from UNRWA offices until it improves its services.
1 apr 2013
16 Palestinian refugees including six children killed in Syria
A barrage of Grad rockets and mortar shells showered the Yarmouk refugee camp south of Damascus killing and wounding dozens of refugees. A statement by the action group for Palestinians in Syria on Monday said that 16 Palestinians were killed over the past 24 hours due to the Syrian regular army’s extensive shelling and sniper fire targeting refugee camps.
It said that the bombardment targeted main streets and suburbs in Yarmouk refugee camp, adding that 30 Palestinians were also wounded in the attack including seven in serious condition.
The group said that hospitals in the camp declared a state of alert and appealed for blood donations, and asked doctors nearby to rush to aid in the emergency rooms in view of the shortage in medical supplies and manpower in those hospitals.
It said that a Palestinian woman and her four children were wounded in Syrian bombing of Al-Husseiniya refugee camp.
It said that the bombardment targeted main streets and suburbs in Yarmouk refugee camp, adding that 30 Palestinians were also wounded in the attack including seven in serious condition.
The group said that hospitals in the camp declared a state of alert and appealed for blood donations, and asked doctors nearby to rush to aid in the emergency rooms in view of the shortage in medical supplies and manpower in those hospitals.
It said that a Palestinian woman and her four children were wounded in Syrian bombing of Al-Husseiniya refugee camp.
