3 August 2012
The impact of the armed conflict in Syria continues to be borne predominantly by Syrians. The Agency notes with great concern that Palestine refugee communities in Damascus and its suburbs are experiencing, more than ever before, the effects of the escalating armed conflict in Syria.
This trend is illustrated by recent developments in and around Yarmouk, a densely populated suburb of Damascus where at least 150,000 Palestine refugees reside among approximately one million Syrians of all backgrounds.
Intensive armed engagements in Tadhamoun, Yalda, Hajar Al Aswad, Al Kaddam and other districts that share borders with Yarmouk have resulted in deaths and injuries of residents of Yarmouk, including Palestine refugees. Refugee homes and properties and UNRWA installations have also been damaged during the armed engagements. There is no indication that Palestine refugees, homes or properties are being targeted.
During the early evening of Thursday, 2 August, in an area on Palestine Street in Yarmouk, there were several explosions, apparently caused by artillery shells, which damaged adjoining homes. Initial, unconfirmed reports from informal sources suggest that some 20 people were killed and tens more were wounded.
UNRWA is in the process of verifying Palestine refugee casualties.
UNRWA deplores the injuries and loss of life. The Agency strongly appeals to all sides to preserve human life and to act with restraint and in accordance with international law. This will ensure that across Syria, civilians, Syrians, and Palestine refugees and their homes and properties, are spared the effects of the armed conflict in Syria.
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Background information
UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and is mandated to provide assistance and protection to a population of some 5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip to achieve their full potential in human development, pending a just solution to their plight.
UNRWA’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions.
For more information, please contact:
Christopher Gunness
UNRWA Spokesperson
Mobile: +972 (0) 54 240 2659
Office: +972 (0) 2 589 0267
c.gunness@unrwa.org
Adnan Abu-Hasna
Acting Arabic Spokesperson
Mobile: +970 59 942 8061
Office: +970 8 288 7531
a.abu-hasna@unrwa.org
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