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Reviving resolution 194

April 28, 2015 at 10:24 am

Only a few days after the visit of Commissioner General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Pierre Krihnpol to Yarmouk Camp to supervise delivery of food and humanitarian aid to the camp’s inhabitants, the situation inside the camp exploded again. Krihnpol returned to Damascus once again and said: “We must remember that we are dealing with a new generation of Palestinian refugees who are facing the shock of dispossession and displacement all over again.”

Since 1 April 2015, no entity or responsible party, including UNRWA, has been able to carry out any humanitarian operations in Yarmouk, not even to supple food and medicines to those in the camp as violent clashes intensify. There are 18,000 people in the camps’ administrative boundaries and they are still suffering.

In the midst of the current tragedy and violent fighting inside and on the outskirts of the camp, Palestinian refugees pay the high price of blood and tears, hunger and deprivation from life’s basics. Over the past few days, and since ISIS entered the camp, only 2,000 people were able to leave the camp, most of them elderly refugees and a few dozen women and children who were allowed into a school adjacent to the Yarmouk camp. UNRWA along with the Red Crescent Society and the General Authority for Palestinian Refugees carried out their humanitarian responsibilities in this aspect.

The Commissioner-General of the UNRWA, Pierre Krihnpol, stressed again: “We are still deeply aware that there is more to be done in order to respond to the needs of Palestine refugees and their dignity effectively. I would like to express my deep appreciation for the courage and determination of Palestine refugees whom I assure that UNRWA is committed to providing them with support and protection. I reiterate my call for all parties involved that they need to support us in this effort by facilitating the provision of humanitarian assistance and not to hinder its access.”

The critical moments experienced by Palestinians in Syria force everyone to raise their voice in order to save Palestinian refugees in Syria, and to intervene to stop what is happening, and stop their displacement and migration towards the four corners of the globe, and to allow Palestinians to continue on the path of their national cause, which is the most important one.

Translated from Al-Watan, 19 April 2015.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.