UN agency appeals for $56 million to repair damage in occupied palestinian territories
Palestine, Economics, 7/4/2002

An additional $56 million is needed for relief and reconstruction of several refugees camps damaged by the Israeli military's incursion earlier this year, the head of the United Nations body charged with helping Palestinian refugees told journalists at UN headquarters on Tuesday.

These funds are needed over and above the $117 million the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) requires for its emergency operations in 2002, the Agency's Commissioner-General, Peter Hansen, explained.

Israeli military incursions into Palestinian refugee camps during March and April had resulted in widespread destruction and injuries, as humanitarian conditions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip fell to levels unprecedented in 35 years, Hansen said.

Military activities were continuing, and UNRWA was facing the challenge of responding to the increased health, shelter and education needs under conditions of closures and curfews, the Commissioner-General added.

"We have had to respond on a scale so far unseen and we have had to do so in the face of unprecedented difficulties of access for our staff to get to work, to load the trucks and for the drivers to get through the checkpoints and get to the Palestinian villages," Hansen said.

According to the Commissioner-General, the $55.7 million that UNRWA was asking for was intended to cover relief and reconstruction needs at Balata, Jenin, Douha, Aida and other camps, which needed extensive rehabilitation.

The funds would go towards eight main areas, including shelter repair and reconstruction; relief and social assistance to counter growing poverty; education for children unable to reach their schools and meeting the demand for extra medical services and trauma counseling.

The money would also be used to repair the damaged roads, water supplies and other infrastructure; procure additional emergency food aid; employment programs for the poorest families; and additional logistical costs arising from the incursions and the impact of closures and curfews.

Previous Stories:
  ILO reports dire economic, social crisis in occupied territories   (6/1/2002)
  Israel uses Palestinians' money to support its budget   (5/31/2002)
  Sharon approved bringing in Thai labor force to Israel   (5/27/2002)
  UN agency launches emergency operation for 500,000 Palestinians needing food   (5/23/2002)

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