UNRWA: Needs $15.5 Million Due to Conflict in "Ain al-Hilweh" Camp

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) announced in a statement today that it "is seeking $15.5 million for its multi-sectoral response, following the armed clashes that took place in the Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon from July 29 to August 3." The statement noted that "four days of violence between armed Palestinian groups in the camp resulted in 13 deaths and more than 60 injuries. Thousands of civilians were forced to flee their homes, which were damaged or destroyed. All eight UNRWA schools, which provide education to a total of 5,900 children, were occupied by armed groups and sustained severe damage. Materials were looted, and the school complexes were turned into bases for the armed groups themselves. As of the time of this appeal, the eight schools remained occupied by armed groups, despite UNRWA's urgent calls for all armed groups to vacate its buildings immediately."