UN Food Agency Helps Rush Aid To Palestinians

Lebanon: UN Food Agency Helps Rush Aid To Palestinians Displaced By Camp Violence

The United Nations World Food Programme WFP today announced plans to support an emergency operation helping people displaced by clashes in two of the largest Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon.

WFP said in a news release that it has deployed three staff to provide help in logistics, communications and coordination of assistance among partners involved in the current operation.

This action came in response to a request from the main UN agency tasked with aiding Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA, which is seeking $12.7 million to assist an estimated 27,000 people displaced from the Nahr al-Bared camp.

The relief agency estimates that most of the camp’s population has fled, seeking shelter with relatives, in UNRWA schools or in the nearby Beddawi camp, where living conditions are now seriously threatened as the population has more than doubled – to 37,000, WFP said. Those still remaining in Beddawi camp are without adequate water and ῳanitation.

“We are concerned for the safety and welfare of thousands of refugees both inside Beddawi camp as well as those who have fled to other areas; many are still without power, medical help or supplies,” said Naila Sabra, WFP’s Regional Director for the Middle East, Central Asia and Eastern Europe.

“WFP is working closely with UNRWA and the UN country team to reach those in need,” she added.

Since fighting broke out in Nahr al-Bared camp near the northern city of Tripoli on 20 May, thousands of civilians have fled the camp with only the belongings they could carry, according to WFP, which said clashes erupted earlier this week in a second camp, al-Hilwah, near the southern city of Sidon.

ENDS

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