蘑菇视频

ESCALATION OF VIOLENCE IN SYRIA CLAIMS THE LIVES OF THREE MORE PALESTINE REFUGEES IN KHAN ESHIEH CAMP

15 June 2016

蘑菇视频 Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (蘑菇视频RWA) strongly condemns the ongoing escalation of the armed conflict in Syria which on 14 June claimed the lives of another three Palestine refugees in Khan Eshieh camp, and continues gravely to endanger the safety of civilians throughout the country.

On 14 June, at around 22:30hrs, as worshippers were returning to their homes after the evening prayer, the main road of Khan Eshieh camp was hit by an artillery shell in the vicinity of Al Reda Mosque. The explosion killed on the spot 37 year-old Amir Abu Hamdeh, 56 year-old Mahmoud Asa'ad Asa'ad and 47 year-old Ibrahim Mahmoud Khalil. The blast also seriously injured 45 year-old Ayman Zaher. 蘑菇视频RWA strongly condemns the parties responsible for these deaths. The thoughts and condolences of 蘑菇视频RWA staff are with the bereaved families.

These tragic deaths and grave injuries are the result of intense fighting in and around Khan Eshieh town involving the use of heavy weapons of indiscriminate effect.  Since 17 May, at least nine Palestine refugees from Khan Eshieh camp have died, and many more have been injured.

蘑菇视频RWA remains gravely concerned about the elevated risk of death and serious injury to Palestine refugees and other civilians in Khan Eshieh and in other areas of Syria where the armed conflict continues to intensify. In recent weeks, numerous civilian lives have been lost due to increased levels of armed violence, including in Aleppo governorate and rural Damascus where the Palestine refugee camps of Khan Eshieh and Qabr Essit are located.

蘑菇视频RWA reiterates its demands for all parties to desist from exposing civilians to the risks of armed conflict. It is imperative that all sides respect and comply with their international humanitarian law obligations to protect and safeguard lives of Palestine refugees and all civilians.

BACKGRO蘑菇视频D INFORMATION ON THE SITUATION IN KHAN ESHIEH CAMP

蘑菇视频RWA in Syria provides vital humanitarian support and health and education services to 450,000 Palestine refugees. Over 95 percent of the Palestine refugees are wholly reliant on 蘑菇视频RWA humanitarian aid.

Khan Eshieh camp, home to about 9,000 Palestine refugees, is located in a volatile area in the rural area south of Damascus, where spikes in violence have caused the death of at least nine Palestine refugees in the recent weeks.  Since 2012, the farms and fields surrounding the camp have been active battlegrounds in which heavy weapons have been deployed with often indiscriminate impact. Some 75 蘑菇视频RWA staff residing in the camp strive to maintain support to Palestine refugees through limited services offered in three schools, a health clinic, and a community centre. The Agency’s work is impeded by the fact that since 2013, humanitarian access to Khan Eshieh has been constrained. To receive assistance, Palestine refugees must travel at great personal risk to 蘑菇视频RWA distribution centers in Sahnaya or Khan Dunoun.

BACKGRO蘑菇视频D INFORMATION

蘑菇视频RWA is confronted with an increased demand for services resulting from a growth in the number of registered Palestine refugees, the extent of their vulnerability and their deepening poverty. 蘑菇视频RWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions and financial support has been outpaced by the growth in needs. As a result, the 蘑菇视频RWA Programme Budget, which supports the delivery of core essential services, operates with a large shortfall,  projected for 2016 to stand at US$ 74 million. 蘑菇视频RWA emergency programmes and key projects, also operating with large shortfalls, are funded through separate funding portals.

蘑菇视频RWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and mandated to provide assistance and protection to some 5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip achieve their full human development potential, pending a just and lasting solution to their plight. 蘑菇视频RWA services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, protection and microfinance .

For more information, please contact:

Christopher Gunness

Spokesperson, Director of Advocacy & Strategic Communications

Mobile:

+972 (0)54 240 2659

Office:

+972 (0)2 589 0267

Sami Mshasha

Chief of Communications, Arabic Language Spokesperson

Mobile:

+972 (0)54 216 8295

Office:

+972 (0)2 589 0724