23 apr 2015
Palestinian refugee families have appealed to the international human rights institutions to improve their very poor living conditions in the Turkish city of Kilis.
The appeal was launched by 49 Palestinian families who fled from the bloody events in Syria and took refuge in Kilis.
“We reached Turkey after we have been obliged to escape from the deathly hell raging in Syria due to the heavy bombing and large destruction”, the families said in a written statement.
“We are now stuck in Kilis after those who claimed responsibility ignored our suffering,” they continued.
“We have only two choices, either to take refuge in Mediene camp amid unbearable living conditions or to return to Syrian opposition-controlled areas which are daily bombed and shelled”.
Between 3,000 and 5,000 Palestinian refugees were forced to leave their refugee camps in Syria and to take refuge in Turkey fleeing from the daily bombing and clashes.
However, their very difficult living conditions force them to illegally immigrate in small boats heading to Europe looking for a decent life.
The appeal was launched by 49 Palestinian families who fled from the bloody events in Syria and took refuge in Kilis.
“We reached Turkey after we have been obliged to escape from the deathly hell raging in Syria due to the heavy bombing and large destruction”, the families said in a written statement.
“We are now stuck in Kilis after those who claimed responsibility ignored our suffering,” they continued.
“We have only two choices, either to take refuge in Mediene camp amid unbearable living conditions or to return to Syrian opposition-controlled areas which are daily bombed and shelled”.
Between 3,000 and 5,000 Palestinian refugees were forced to leave their refugee camps in Syria and to take refuge in Turkey fleeing from the daily bombing and clashes.
However, their very difficult living conditions force them to illegally immigrate in small boats heading to Europe looking for a decent life.
20 apr 2015
European Union ministers headed into crisis talks Monday under pressure to act over people smuggling as Italian and Maltese authorities grappled with the grim aftermath of the Mediterranean's deadliest migrant disaster.
More than 700 people are feared dead following Sunday's capsize off Libya of a fishing boat that had been crammed with migrants trying to reach Europe. One survivor has told Italian authorities that there were as many as 950 people on board and that some of them had been locked below deck by the smugglers.
Italian and Maltese navy boats continued to scour waters off Libya as a first group of survivors and 24 corpses arrived in Malta aboard an Italian coast guard vessel.
The Bruno Gregoracci docked at Boiler Wharf with 24 body bags laid out on its deck. They were then carried into waiting hearses for transfer to a morgue.
Survivors on board the ship were to be taken on to Sicily later in the day. Italian authorities say only 28 people survived the disaster, at least one of whom is already in hospital in Sicily.
Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has vowed that every effort will be made to salvage the capsized boat and ensure those who perished on board are given decent burials.
Refugee and rights bodies have described the disaster as one that could have been avoided and say European governments have to beef up rescue operations and address the underlying causes of the surge in asylum-seekers and migrants trying to reach Europe.
"The world needs to react with the conviction with which it eliminated piracy off the coast of Somalia a few years ago," said Wiliam Lacy Swing, director general of the International Organization for Migration.
"All of us, especially the EU and world's powers can no longer sit on the sidelines watching while tragedy unfolds in slow motion."
Malta's Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said the EU had to address the chaos in Libya which allows smugglers to operate out of the troubled north African state with impunity. "The name of the game is Libya and the securitisation of Libya," Muscat said.
"We have what is fast becoming a failed state on our doorsteps and criminal gangs are enjoying a heyday."
EU foreign ministers were set to discuss the immigration disaster at a previously scheduled meeting in Luxembourg on Monday and will be joined by their interior ministry colleagues.
Italy has demanded an emergency summit of EU leaders be held by the end of the week.
Serial tragedies
The latest disaster comes after a week in which two other migrant shipwrecks left an estimated 450 people dead, with increasing boatloads coming from Libya as the North African country falls deeper into chaos.
If the worst fears about Sunday's tragedy are confirmed, it would take the death toll since the start of 2015 to more than 1,600.
More than 11,000 other would-be immigrants have been rescued since the middle of last week and current trends suggest last year's total of 170,000 migrants landing in Italy is likely to be exceeded in 2015.
Rights groups including Amnesty International are calling for the restoration of an Italian navy search-and-rescue operation known as Mare Nostrum which was suspended at the end of last year.
Italy scaled back the mission after failing to persuade its European partners to help meet its operating costs of nine million euros ($9.7 million) a month amid divisions over whether the mission was unintentionally encouraging migrants to attempt the crossing.
Mare Nostrum has been replaced by a much smaller EU-run operation called Triton.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said governments worldwide should show solidarity and take in more refugees, adding he was "shocked and deeply saddened" by reports of the latest shipwreck.
Governments must not only improve rescue at sea but also "ensure the right to asylum of the growing number of people worldwide fleeing war who need refuge and safe haven", Ban added.
Stampede suspected
The fishing boat capsized most likely as a result of terrified passengers stampeding to one side in their desperation to get off after coastal authorities in Italy and Malta picked up a distress signal around midnight (2200 GMT) on Saturday, when it was still in Libyan waters.
The deadliest incident prior to Sunday occurred off Malta in September 2014. An estimated 500 migrants drowned in a shipwreck caused by traffickers deliberately ramming the boat in an attempt to force the people on board onto another, smaller vessel.
In October 2013, more than 360 Africans perished when the tiny boat they were crammed onto caught fire within sight of the coast of Lampedusa in Italy.
More than 700 people are feared dead following Sunday's capsize off Libya of a fishing boat that had been crammed with migrants trying to reach Europe. One survivor has told Italian authorities that there were as many as 950 people on board and that some of them had been locked below deck by the smugglers.
Italian and Maltese navy boats continued to scour waters off Libya as a first group of survivors and 24 corpses arrived in Malta aboard an Italian coast guard vessel.
The Bruno Gregoracci docked at Boiler Wharf with 24 body bags laid out on its deck. They were then carried into waiting hearses for transfer to a morgue.
Survivors on board the ship were to be taken on to Sicily later in the day. Italian authorities say only 28 people survived the disaster, at least one of whom is already in hospital in Sicily.
Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has vowed that every effort will be made to salvage the capsized boat and ensure those who perished on board are given decent burials.
Refugee and rights bodies have described the disaster as one that could have been avoided and say European governments have to beef up rescue operations and address the underlying causes of the surge in asylum-seekers and migrants trying to reach Europe.
"The world needs to react with the conviction with which it eliminated piracy off the coast of Somalia a few years ago," said Wiliam Lacy Swing, director general of the International Organization for Migration.
"All of us, especially the EU and world's powers can no longer sit on the sidelines watching while tragedy unfolds in slow motion."
Malta's Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said the EU had to address the chaos in Libya which allows smugglers to operate out of the troubled north African state with impunity. "The name of the game is Libya and the securitisation of Libya," Muscat said.
"We have what is fast becoming a failed state on our doorsteps and criminal gangs are enjoying a heyday."
EU foreign ministers were set to discuss the immigration disaster at a previously scheduled meeting in Luxembourg on Monday and will be joined by their interior ministry colleagues.
Italy has demanded an emergency summit of EU leaders be held by the end of the week.
Serial tragedies
The latest disaster comes after a week in which two other migrant shipwrecks left an estimated 450 people dead, with increasing boatloads coming from Libya as the North African country falls deeper into chaos.
If the worst fears about Sunday's tragedy are confirmed, it would take the death toll since the start of 2015 to more than 1,600.
More than 11,000 other would-be immigrants have been rescued since the middle of last week and current trends suggest last year's total of 170,000 migrants landing in Italy is likely to be exceeded in 2015.
Rights groups including Amnesty International are calling for the restoration of an Italian navy search-and-rescue operation known as Mare Nostrum which was suspended at the end of last year.
Italy scaled back the mission after failing to persuade its European partners to help meet its operating costs of nine million euros ($9.7 million) a month amid divisions over whether the mission was unintentionally encouraging migrants to attempt the crossing.
Mare Nostrum has been replaced by a much smaller EU-run operation called Triton.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said governments worldwide should show solidarity and take in more refugees, adding he was "shocked and deeply saddened" by reports of the latest shipwreck.
Governments must not only improve rescue at sea but also "ensure the right to asylum of the growing number of people worldwide fleeing war who need refuge and safe haven", Ban added.
Stampede suspected
The fishing boat capsized most likely as a result of terrified passengers stampeding to one side in their desperation to get off after coastal authorities in Italy and Malta picked up a distress signal around midnight (2200 GMT) on Saturday, when it was still in Libyan waters.
The deadliest incident prior to Sunday occurred off Malta in September 2014. An estimated 500 migrants drowned in a shipwreck caused by traffickers deliberately ramming the boat in an attempt to force the people on board onto another, smaller vessel.
In October 2013, more than 360 Africans perished when the tiny boat they were crammed onto caught fire within sight of the coast of Lampedusa in Italy.
As many as 700 people were feared dead after a fishing boat packed with migrants capsized off the Libyan coast overnight Saturday in what officials said may be the Mediterranean's worst disaster as thousands flee poverty and war to Europe.
According to the Times of Malta newspaper, Italian coastguards have retrieved 28 survivors so far after the boat went down overnight about 120 miles south of the Italian island of Lampedusa.
The accident happened after the migrants saw a merchant ship in the distance and scrambled to attract its attention, over-balancing the vessel in which they were travelling.
A state of emergency has been declared at midnight on Saturday as the 700 migrants are feared dead in the tragic shipwreck.
According to the Times of Malta newspaper, Italian coastguards have retrieved 28 survivors so far after the boat went down overnight about 120 miles south of the Italian island of Lampedusa.
The accident happened after the migrants saw a merchant ship in the distance and scrambled to attract its attention, over-balancing the vessel in which they were travelling.
A state of emergency has been declared at midnight on Saturday as the 700 migrants are feared dead in the tragic shipwreck.
19 apr 2015
Aknaf Bait al-Maqdes continued its progress in Yarmouk camp for Palestinian refugees in southern Damascus whereas Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) renewed its refusal of any military solution in the camp.
According to a report issued on Sunday by the Action Group for Palestinians in Syria, Aknaf Bait Al-Maqdis brigades’ leader Abu Ahmad said the Islamic State (IS) and Jabhat al-Nusra are floundering as many cases of escape among their fighters have been documented.
Abu Ahmad said the brigades were able to regain blocks close to Salahuddin Mosque, which was previously taken over by the IS. He confirmed that the brigades are still besieging the security zone in Palestine roundabout in the camp.
He pointed out that 60 IS fighters were killed by the brigades in battles fought in different areas over 18 days since it took over the camp.
He stressed the need to activate the popular action to defeat Jabaht al-Nusra and IS in coincidence with military operations led by Aknaf Bait al-Maqdes brigades with Syrian opposition factions.
Abu Ahmad called for urgent humanitarian and relief aid for the camp as well.
The Action Group for Palestinians in Syria said three Palestinian refugees of the camp have been killed by Jabhat al-Nusra fighters who kidnapped them for seven months without releasing the reasons or justifications.
For its part, the Executive Committee of the PLO confirmed its intention to continue working on helping the Palestinians in the besieged Yarmouk camp.
It affirmed providing support for the camp and sending a delegation of the PLO leaders including all the factions in the camp to follow up field developments.
The PLO Executive Committee confirmed, in a statement following a meeting in Ramallah on Saturday evening, its constant position of avoiding the military option as only it leads to more destruction to the beleaguered camp and displacement of its steadfast people.
According to a report issued on Sunday by the Action Group for Palestinians in Syria, Aknaf Bait Al-Maqdis brigades’ leader Abu Ahmad said the Islamic State (IS) and Jabhat al-Nusra are floundering as many cases of escape among their fighters have been documented.
Abu Ahmad said the brigades were able to regain blocks close to Salahuddin Mosque, which was previously taken over by the IS. He confirmed that the brigades are still besieging the security zone in Palestine roundabout in the camp.
He pointed out that 60 IS fighters were killed by the brigades in battles fought in different areas over 18 days since it took over the camp.
He stressed the need to activate the popular action to defeat Jabaht al-Nusra and IS in coincidence with military operations led by Aknaf Bait al-Maqdes brigades with Syrian opposition factions.
Abu Ahmad called for urgent humanitarian and relief aid for the camp as well.
The Action Group for Palestinians in Syria said three Palestinian refugees of the camp have been killed by Jabhat al-Nusra fighters who kidnapped them for seven months without releasing the reasons or justifications.
For its part, the Executive Committee of the PLO confirmed its intention to continue working on helping the Palestinians in the besieged Yarmouk camp.
It affirmed providing support for the camp and sending a delegation of the PLO leaders including all the factions in the camp to follow up field developments.
The PLO Executive Committee confirmed, in a statement following a meeting in Ramallah on Saturday evening, its constant position of avoiding the military option as only it leads to more destruction to the beleaguered camp and displacement of its steadfast people.
Pro-Palestine activists arranged a solidarity sit-in in Vienna on the Palestinian Prisoner Day within the European solidarity week with Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. The event aimed at supporting the besieged Yarmouk camp in Syria as well.
The participants demanded immediate international intervention to put an end to the suffering of Yarmouk camp’s residents. They called for expelling the Islamic State’s (IS) fighters out of the camp and to neutralize it in the Syrian conflict. Besides, they called for the entry of food supplies into the devastated camp.
The event was organized by the Coordinating Council to support Palestine, Youth of Palestine in Austria, and the Association of Palestinian women. It was organized by Palestinians in Europe Conference and the international campaign of solidarity with prisoners.
The participants called on international and human rights institutions to work on releasing the Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. They asked for European and international action to halt the Israeli violations against Palestinian detainees especially women and minors.
The sit-in included an exhibition demonstrating the suffering of the Palestinian captives. In addition, it included the distribution of brochures, written in German, showing arbitrary violations practiced in Israeli jails such as night raids and strip search.
Secretary General of the Palestinians in Europe Conference Adel Abdullah stressed the need for continuing Palestinian activities in Europe as well as in other areas to shed light on the plight of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
The participants demanded immediate international intervention to put an end to the suffering of Yarmouk camp’s residents. They called for expelling the Islamic State’s (IS) fighters out of the camp and to neutralize it in the Syrian conflict. Besides, they called for the entry of food supplies into the devastated camp.
The event was organized by the Coordinating Council to support Palestine, Youth of Palestine in Austria, and the Association of Palestinian women. It was organized by Palestinians in Europe Conference and the international campaign of solidarity with prisoners.
The participants called on international and human rights institutions to work on releasing the Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. They asked for European and international action to halt the Israeli violations against Palestinian detainees especially women and minors.
The sit-in included an exhibition demonstrating the suffering of the Palestinian captives. In addition, it included the distribution of brochures, written in German, showing arbitrary violations practiced in Israeli jails such as night raids and strip search.
Secretary General of the Palestinians in Europe Conference Adel Abdullah stressed the need for continuing Palestinian activities in Europe as well as in other areas to shed light on the plight of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
18 apr 2015
UNRWA declared its urgent need for “an immediate injection of US$ 30 million to provide life-sustaining assistance to the 18,000 civilians from Yarmouk, including 3,500 children, and those affected by conflict and displacement in other areas, during an initial 90 day rapid response.”
This emergency call for funds forms part of the UNRWA Syria Crisis Appeal, which provides critical humanitarian support to 480,000 Palestine refugees throughout Syria and to those displaced to Lebanon and Jordan, UNRWA's statement said.
Over the past days, UNRWA has significantly expanded its response in areas neighboring Yarmouk, where civilians from Yarmouk have sought shelter. Yesterday, UNRWA was able to hold a fourth distribution mission to Yalda, an area the Agency previously had not had presence, but which now temporarily hosts hundreds of families displaced from Yarmouk. UNRWA will expand this operation to the neighboring areas of Babila and Beit Saham in the coming days, the statement added.
Assistance is provided to Palestinian and Syrian families displaced by the eruption of violence in Yarmouk, and also host communities of Yalda, Babila and Beit Saham. UNRWA missions deliver a broad range of critical humanitarian materials to each of these families, including food, medical supplies, water purification treatments, mattresses, blankets, family kitchen sets and hygiene kits, according to the statement.
This emergency call for funds forms part of the UNRWA Syria Crisis Appeal, which provides critical humanitarian support to 480,000 Palestine refugees throughout Syria and to those displaced to Lebanon and Jordan, UNRWA's statement said.
Over the past days, UNRWA has significantly expanded its response in areas neighboring Yarmouk, where civilians from Yarmouk have sought shelter. Yesterday, UNRWA was able to hold a fourth distribution mission to Yalda, an area the Agency previously had not had presence, but which now temporarily hosts hundreds of families displaced from Yarmouk. UNRWA will expand this operation to the neighboring areas of Babila and Beit Saham in the coming days, the statement added.
Assistance is provided to Palestinian and Syrian families displaced by the eruption of violence in Yarmouk, and also host communities of Yalda, Babila and Beit Saham. UNRWA missions deliver a broad range of critical humanitarian materials to each of these families, including food, medical supplies, water purification treatments, mattresses, blankets, family kitchen sets and hygiene kits, according to the statement.
17 apr 2015
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) denied on Thursday claims that Daesh terrorists had retreated from the Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus, saying 80 percent of the camp is still under the group’s control.
SOHR said in a statement that bloody clashes took place between Aknaf Bait al-Maqdis backed by Islamic rebels against Daesh militants.
Aknaf Bait al-Maqdis fighters have been engaging in a fierce fight against Daesh militants since several days to liberate the camp and lift the blockade imposed on it.
SOHR said in a statement that bloody clashes took place between Aknaf Bait al-Maqdis backed by Islamic rebels against Daesh militants.
Aknaf Bait al-Maqdis fighters have been engaging in a fierce fight against Daesh militants since several days to liberate the camp and lift the blockade imposed on it.
14 apr 2015
Two persons including a Palestinian refugee were killed during the Syrian regime bombing of Yarmouk and Daraa refugee camps, a rights groups said.
Action group for Palestinian refugees in Syria said on Monday that a Palestinian female refugee died of injuries she sustained during the heavy bombing of Daraa refugee camp.
70 percent of residential buildings in Daraa camp were totally destroyed since the outbreak of the Syrian internal conflict, forcing hundreds of Palestinian families to leave for the neighboring towns while the rest are still suffering very poor living conditions, the group added.
“The water cut continued for 357 days in Daraa camp which made securing drinking water a daily burden for the residents of the Daraa camp where the residents are forced to drink from the contaminated water wells due to the shortage of financial resources that in turn led to the spread of skin and stomach diseases at a time that there is no medical treatment due to the siege.”
204 Palestinians were killed in Daraa refugee camp since the outbreak of the ongoing events in Syria, the statement documented.
A Syrian citizen was also killed in mortar shelling on Yarmouk refugee camp on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the human rights institutions working in Yarmouk camp have organized on Monday a sit-in in support of the trapped refugees’ steadfastness.
The participants stressed their strong determination to remain in the refugee camp, calling for a political solution for their crisis.
"We refuse to leave the camp except back to Palestine", they said.
They also called on PA and PLO to work on a political solution to solve the camp’s crisis away from military action.
Prior to 2011, the camp was a home to some 180,000 Palestinian refugees, today only about 20,000 remain. Most of its inhabitants have been forced into becoming refugees again. Those stuck inside are trapped due to the continued siege preventing humanitarian access for 646 days.
174 Palestinian refugees died in Yarmouk refugee camp due to the starvation and lack of medical care inside the camp caused by the continued siege where water and electricity were cut off long ago.
Action group for Palestinian refugees in Syria said on Monday that a Palestinian female refugee died of injuries she sustained during the heavy bombing of Daraa refugee camp.
70 percent of residential buildings in Daraa camp were totally destroyed since the outbreak of the Syrian internal conflict, forcing hundreds of Palestinian families to leave for the neighboring towns while the rest are still suffering very poor living conditions, the group added.
“The water cut continued for 357 days in Daraa camp which made securing drinking water a daily burden for the residents of the Daraa camp where the residents are forced to drink from the contaminated water wells due to the shortage of financial resources that in turn led to the spread of skin and stomach diseases at a time that there is no medical treatment due to the siege.”
204 Palestinians were killed in Daraa refugee camp since the outbreak of the ongoing events in Syria, the statement documented.
A Syrian citizen was also killed in mortar shelling on Yarmouk refugee camp on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the human rights institutions working in Yarmouk camp have organized on Monday a sit-in in support of the trapped refugees’ steadfastness.
The participants stressed their strong determination to remain in the refugee camp, calling for a political solution for their crisis.
"We refuse to leave the camp except back to Palestine", they said.
They also called on PA and PLO to work on a political solution to solve the camp’s crisis away from military action.
Prior to 2011, the camp was a home to some 180,000 Palestinian refugees, today only about 20,000 remain. Most of its inhabitants have been forced into becoming refugees again. Those stuck inside are trapped due to the continued siege preventing humanitarian access for 646 days.
174 Palestinian refugees died in Yarmouk refugee camp due to the starvation and lack of medical care inside the camp caused by the continued siege where water and electricity were cut off long ago.
134 members of the Palestine Liberation Army (PLA) were killed in war-torn Syria, the Action Group for Palestinians in Syria reported on Monday.
According to the Action Group, 37 PLA fighters were killed since the start of 2015, 18 among whom killed in February.
15 militants reportedly died since the start of April as they clashed with Daesh terrorists in Syria’s southern province of Sweida.
Families of the casualties and fighters enlisted in mandatory military service appealed to the PLA General Staff and the Palestine Liberation Organization, among many other parties, to spare civilians’ lives and stop bloodshed against Palestinians.
Palestinian refugees in Syria are compulsorily enlisted in military conscription. Scores of youngsters who refused to take part in the ongoing armed conflict were left with no choice other than seeking refuge in neighboring countries as violations to the conscription edict are liable to punishment and prison, the group added.
According to the Action Group, 37 PLA fighters were killed since the start of 2015, 18 among whom killed in February.
15 militants reportedly died since the start of April as they clashed with Daesh terrorists in Syria’s southern province of Sweida.
Families of the casualties and fighters enlisted in mandatory military service appealed to the PLA General Staff and the Palestine Liberation Organization, among many other parties, to spare civilians’ lives and stop bloodshed against Palestinians.
Palestinian refugees in Syria are compulsorily enlisted in military conscription. Scores of youngsters who refused to take part in the ongoing armed conflict were left with no choice other than seeking refuge in neighboring countries as violations to the conscription edict are liable to punishment and prison, the group added.
A Destroyed Neighborhood in Yarmouk
The suffering of humanity in Yarmouk grows worse each day. Where is the world?
Since the war in Syria started a few years ago, the people of Yarmouk have been suffering tremendously.
Hundreds of people in Yarmouk are suffering from malnutrition, disease, and severe psychological distress. There are reports from the United Nations that more than two-hundred ave starved to death since the start of the war.
In this man-made catastrophe there has been no running water since September of last year, and all drinking water that is available is contaminated, further spurring disease. But when the alternative is death from dehydration, the refugees will take their chances on the contaminated water.
Residents have gone months without electricity, and most people have been barely surviving on 400 calories a day.
This is the reality for the innocent civilians of Yarmouk Palestine refugee camp.
I thought that the suffering in Yarmouk couldn't get any worse. I was mistaken.
Last week, Daesh brought their reign of terror to the Palestinians when Yarmouk was seized. As soon as Daesh entered the camp, they began burning Palestinian flags and beheaded anyone who dared to not join them. They looted the camp and placed snipers throughout, on top of buildings so that no one knows where they are. Families face a terrible choice: go out and get food at risk of being shot/beheaded/bombed or remain in war-ravaged homes and starve.
A few thousand refugees fled the camp to become displaced again. The residents of the camp who didn't get to flee, or didn't have anywhere to flee to, are stuck facing terrible odds. These innocent people are terrified and trapped between Daesh's swords and Assad's bombs falling from above with no water, food, or medical aid.
Yarmouk is caught in the ninth circle of Hell, betrayed completely by the entire world.
The international community s letting Yarmouk fall apart. Collective humanity has failed--utterly and completely. The humanitarian crisis in Yarmouk has been systematically ignored for the last 4 years and that trend is continuing to hold.
There are 3,500 children suffering in Yarmouk right now. The children are perpetually starving and have never known a life that was not enveloped in war. This is the time to speak out and stop this before it becomes a massacre.
The international community has a responsibility to everyone in Yarmouk. This is a crisis that goes beyond race or religion, Yarmouk needs to be defended by everyone. This is about human beings, with faces and names and memories who have loved and have been loved themselves. They deserves lives that go beyond despair.
If something does not change soon, Yarmouk will be turned into a mass grave. We cannot allow tens of thousands of people to turn into a mere memory. The blood of the innocents will be on the hands of all who have turned a blind eye to this horrific living nightmare.
Camila Benson is the personal assistant to the Director of Public Outreach and Engagement for the International Middle East Media Center.
She has been advocating for the rights of Palestinians in the oPt and abroad for several years. You can follow her on Twitter @1camilabenson
The suffering of humanity in Yarmouk grows worse each day. Where is the world?
Since the war in Syria started a few years ago, the people of Yarmouk have been suffering tremendously.
Hundreds of people in Yarmouk are suffering from malnutrition, disease, and severe psychological distress. There are reports from the United Nations that more than two-hundred ave starved to death since the start of the war.
In this man-made catastrophe there has been no running water since September of last year, and all drinking water that is available is contaminated, further spurring disease. But when the alternative is death from dehydration, the refugees will take their chances on the contaminated water.
Residents have gone months without electricity, and most people have been barely surviving on 400 calories a day.
This is the reality for the innocent civilians of Yarmouk Palestine refugee camp.
I thought that the suffering in Yarmouk couldn't get any worse. I was mistaken.
Last week, Daesh brought their reign of terror to the Palestinians when Yarmouk was seized. As soon as Daesh entered the camp, they began burning Palestinian flags and beheaded anyone who dared to not join them. They looted the camp and placed snipers throughout, on top of buildings so that no one knows where they are. Families face a terrible choice: go out and get food at risk of being shot/beheaded/bombed or remain in war-ravaged homes and starve.
A few thousand refugees fled the camp to become displaced again. The residents of the camp who didn't get to flee, or didn't have anywhere to flee to, are stuck facing terrible odds. These innocent people are terrified and trapped between Daesh's swords and Assad's bombs falling from above with no water, food, or medical aid.
Yarmouk is caught in the ninth circle of Hell, betrayed completely by the entire world.
The international community s letting Yarmouk fall apart. Collective humanity has failed--utterly and completely. The humanitarian crisis in Yarmouk has been systematically ignored for the last 4 years and that trend is continuing to hold.
There are 3,500 children suffering in Yarmouk right now. The children are perpetually starving and have never known a life that was not enveloped in war. This is the time to speak out and stop this before it becomes a massacre.
The international community has a responsibility to everyone in Yarmouk. This is a crisis that goes beyond race or religion, Yarmouk needs to be defended by everyone. This is about human beings, with faces and names and memories who have loved and have been loved themselves. They deserves lives that go beyond despair.
If something does not change soon, Yarmouk will be turned into a mass grave. We cannot allow tens of thousands of people to turn into a mere memory. The blood of the innocents will be on the hands of all who have turned a blind eye to this horrific living nightmare.
Camila Benson is the personal assistant to the Director of Public Outreach and Engagement for the International Middle East Media Center.
She has been advocating for the rights of Palestinians in the oPt and abroad for several years. You can follow her on Twitter @1camilabenson
