Security incidents and shellings are hampering UNRWA’s ability to respond to the needs of Palestinian refugees inside Syria.

REGIONAL OVERVIEW

30 April 2013 East Jerusalem Palestine refugees in Syria are being killed, injured and displaced in greater numbers than ever before, as the armed conflict continues to overwhelm refugee camps across the country.

25 April 2013
Amman, Jordan

The UAE Red Crescent Authority has positively responded to UNRWA’s appeal to support conflict-affected Palestinian refugees caught up in the conflict in Syria. With a generous donation of US$ 500,000, UNRWA will provide food to approximately 40,561 Palestinian refugees (over 10,000 families) and hygiene kits to an estimated 3,915 vulnerable adults and babies. The locations of the distribution will be in conflict-affected areas and in UNRWA facilities sheltering internally displaced Palestinian refugees.

The number of refugees has almost doubled in seven months; they are particularly vulnerable as external flight options are limited and hostilities spill over into refugee camps.

Regional Overview

23 March 2013 East Jerusalem

It is with great distress that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has learned of the violent deaths of five Palestine refugee children, one in Dera'a on 15 March and four others in the Damascus area on 19 March. Four of the children reportedly died as a result of the use of heavy weapons.

16 March 2013 East Jerusalem

It is with great sadness that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has learned of the conflict-related death of Nasri Khalil Hasan, a member of its teaching staff in Syria. Nasri Hassan is the sixth UNRWA staff member to be killed in the Syria conflict.

UNRWA is conducting the first direct activity in Yarmouk since humanitarian access was curtailed in early December 2012.