UNRWA RESUMES RELIEF OPERATIONS IN YARMOUK

Damascus, 22 Rajab 1436/11 May 2015 (MINA) – UNRWA declared Sunday (10/5) that it has resumed over the past days its response in areas neighbouring Yarmouk, where civilians from Yarmouk have sought shelter.

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, the statement explained, Palestinian Information Center (PIC) quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

On Saturday, “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 neighbouring areas of Babila and Beit Saham in the coming days. Emergency aid is distributed by UNRWA staff and medical personnel have established a mobile health point, treating over 400 patients over the previous days.”

UNRWA is seeking 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.

“We are also grateful for support from some key donors, who have fully grasped the urgency of the situation. But the Agency cannot fully respond to this escalation without a major increase in funding,” explained Michael Kingsley-Nyinah, UNRWA Director in Syria. (T/P006/R04)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)