The escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip has entered its fourth week, resulting in over 200,000 Palestinians being displaced from their homes and taking refuge in 85 UNRWA designated emergency shelters (DES). The numbers of displaced continue to rise, and over the last eight days UNRWA has had to increase its DES facilities by 23 per cent; at a rate of two additional facilities each day. In recent official statements, both the Commissioner-General and the Director of UNRWA’s Operations in Gaza have called on the international community to end hostilities. Pending a peaceful resolution, and in view of the rapid deterioration of the situation and the resulting increase in humanitarian needs, UNRWA is revising the scope of its emergency response and updating its Flash Appeal for the second time.
Based on these developments, UNRWA now requires a total of US$ 187,600,000 in order to provide emergency assistance for a revised scenario of up to 250,000 people being displaced during a period of up to eight weeks. A portion of this funding will also be needed to start early recovery activities including shelter and installation repair upon cessation of hostilities. The increase in funding required for these activities (US$ 72.6 million on the previous total) is based on the rising number of those internally displaced and an extension of the period of assistance provision. Throughout this period, and until a cessation in hostilities is reached, UNRWA will continue to provide food, non-food items (NFIs) and psycho-social support at designated emergency shelters. The Agency will also continue to provide assistance to those seeking refuge outside of UNRWA operated shelters through the distribution of NFIs, provision of conditional cash assistance, and through ensuring that primary health centres and essential water utilities remain operational.
Financial support to this appeal is essential for UNRWA to continue the provision of emergency assistance to the hundreds of thousands of civilians displaced by the hostilities. UNRWA maintains that the recurring conflict in Gaza can only be addressed by a political resolution.