Due to the dramatic escalation in violence over the past few days and the massive assault on Gaza, UNRWA has declared an emergency in all five areas of the Gaza Strip. It is closely monitoring the situation and stands ready to mount an emergency response should that become necessary. The priority for the Agency has now shifted to emergency operations, providing assistance to those who have been displaced and sought shelter in UNRWA schools, while attempting to continue regular operations. Urgent funding needs persist and are increasing.
GENERAL
Past 24 hours: The impact of the ongoing conflict on civilians continues to be devastating for communities in the Gaza Strip. At the time of reporting 17,000 distraught people had fled their homes in Northern Gaza, to shelter in 20 UNRWA schools in Gaza City and the North Area. In addition, there were almost 300 people requesting temporary shelter in the Middle Area.
It is reported that in the North Area of Gaza, the IDF continues to send SMS phone messages requesting people to leave their houses to a safer place. Reportedly, the local mosques are asking communities not to relocate. This is a time of incredible uncertainty, turmoil and suffering for the women, men and children of Gaza.
UNRWA very much fears that preparations for a ground offensive will imminently lead to large-scale displacement from areas near the fence with Israel. History has shown that this would have enormous impact on Gazan civilians, including significant damage to shelters and infrastructure, in addition to displacement and massive disruption to the economy.
UNRWA’s preparedness levels are high but history shows that the organization can expect to shelter up to 50,000 displaced Gazans in its schools if a ground invasion occurs. Yet, the organisation holds NFI stock for less than 35,000, a legacy of scarce financial resources that did not allow UNRWA to replenish contingency supplies after the devastating flooding in December, 2013. As well as the essential non food item stocks now being provided, the displacement of Gazan families has resulted in the need to provide additional food assistance. UNRWA has an existing partnership with WFP to provide food, but there is an urgent need for more funding to complete the food basket in shelters.
Streets in the Gaza Strip remain empty and banks are still closed. On July 13 in the North Area, IDF shelling reportedly restricted the movement of people on the streets, and caused electricity cuts in a number of locations.
Over the past 24 hours, 9 deaths and 33 injuries have been reported. Amongst the dead are two woman and five children – all boys. At least 32 children have been reportedly killed since Tuesday, 8 July.
UNRWA RESPONSE
- The situation in the Gaza strip is increasingly precarious for all five Areas. Gaza Field Office remains in close and frequent contact with each of its Area Emergency teams.
- By 08.00 on 13 July, twenty emergency shelters had been opened by UNRWA in local schools in Gaza, housing approximately 17,000 people. In addition to shelters, and as UNRWA has always done in the past, it also stands ready to provide whatever emergency assistance it can, should the situation deteriorate even further.
- UNRWA’s food distribution continued and food rations were provided to 15,919 beneficiaries through 9 distribution centres.
- Emergency fuel distribution to critical environmental health facilities took place yesterday. In all, 40,765 L of diesel was distributed, predominately to ensure water pumping stations and sewage treatment plants could function when the power is off.
- Regular UNRWA operations continue. Most health clinics remain operational and all regular UNRWA services remain available. On 13 July, 6,474 people visited UNRWA health clinics in Gaza, including more than 500 children who received their regular check up and/or immunization vaccinations.
SUMMARY OF MAJOR INCIDENTS
Reportedly, 294 missiles were fired by Israel to the Gaza Strip. 214 rockets and 30 mortars were fired towards Israel. The Israeli navy fired 200 shells at targets in Gaza, and it is reported that 55 houses in Gaza were bombarded by Israel. IDF positioned at the border fired 47 artillery and tank shells.
There were 9 deaths and 33 injuries reported. This takes the reported total death toll since Tuesday, to 174, with approximately 1,152 injured. Reports indicate that at least 32 children have been killed over this time period.
UNRWA INSTALLATIONS
A total of 49 UNRWA installations have been damaged since 1 June, 2014.
In the past 24 hours, three UNRWA installations were damaged. All of these were schools, two in the Middle Area and one in Khan Younis.
FUNDING NEEDS
Although operations for UNRWA continue in all five Areas, there is an urgent need for funding to cover the $22 million Emergency Appeal shortfall already projected by the Agency. Currently, the most urgent funding needs include funding to continue the food assistance programme and additional resources to procure non-food items ($1 million).
CROSSINGS
Rafah crossing was closed.
Erez was open for internationals and humanitarian cases.
Kerem Shalom was open for fuel and food deliveries. UNRWA received 18 trucks of food.
BACKGROUND
Following the escalation in violence between Gaza and Israel in November 2012 an understanding was reached between Hamas and Israel, mediated by Egypt. 2013 was subsequently the quietest year in a decade, in terms of hostilities between Israel and Gaza. Events in 2014, however, have led to a profound deterioration in the situation.
The Israeli blockade of Gaza entered its 8th year in June 2014 and continues to have a devastating effect as access to markets and people’s movement to and from the Gaza Strip remain severely restricted. The economy and its capacity to create jobs has been devastated, with the majority of the population becoming dependent on humanitarian aid to meet basic needs. The number of Palestine refugees relying on UNRWA for food aid has increased from less than 80,000 in 2000 to over 830,000 today.
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.