Statement Attributable to Tanya Chapuisat, UNICEF Lebanon Representative, and Hakam Shahwan, Director of UNRWA Affairs a.i. in Lebanon on the Impact and Injuries to Civilians, Including Children, Resulting from the Ongoing Clashes
NEW YORK (February 28, 2017) – “UNRWA and UNICEF strongly condemn the armed violence in Ein El‑Hilweh Palestine refugee camp in Saida, which directly affects the safety and security of civilians, including children.
We deplore reports at least nine civilians, including a thirteen year old boy and a United Nations (UNRWA) staff member, have been injured as a result of the conflict. We are deeply concerned that ongoing violence will result in further civilian casualties, including children.
As a result of the violence, most of the education, health and other services in the camp have been suspended. Three UNRWA schools have been entered and used by armed actors without authorization and in breach of the inviolability of UN premises.
UNICEF and UNRWA denounce the violence which again has restricted access to schools and continues to deprive children, including some 5,500 Palestine refugee children registered in UNRWA schools, from enjoying their right to education. Further, civilians residing in the camp have limited access to critical health care.
UNICEF and UNRWA call on all those involved to respect the sanctity of human life and to ensure the protection of Palestine refugees and other residents of the camp. We call on all armed actors operating in the camp to cease hostilities and take necessary measures to protect civilians, to respect the sanctity and inviolability of UN premises, and ensure safe access to schools, clinics and other vital services.”
About UNRWA
UNRWA 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. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions and financial support has been outpaced by the growth in needs. As a result, the UNRWA Programme Budget, which supports the delivery of core essential services, operates with a large shortfall. UNRWA encourages all Member States to work collectively to exert all possible efforts to fully fund the Agency’s Programme Budget. UNRWA emergency programmes and key projects, also operating with large shortfalls, are funded through separate funding portals.
UNRWA 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. UNRWA services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, protection and microfinance.
About UNICEF
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to put children first. UNICEF has helped save more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization, by providing health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy and education in the United States. Together, we are working toward the day when no children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.
For more information, contact:
Sophie Aziakou, U.S. Fund for UNICEF, 917.720.1397, saziakou@unicefusa.org
Christopher Gunness, UNRWA, +972 (0)2 589 0267, c.gunness@unrwa.org
Sami Mshasha, UNRWA, +972 (0)2 589 0724, s.mshasha@unrwa.org