RAMALLAH, April 26, 2018 (MENA) - The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) warned against the disastrous consequences of the serious escalation of fighting in Yarmouk refugee camp in Syria. In a press statement, UNRWA expressed its deep concern about the fate of thousands of Palestinian refugees in and around the camp. UNRWA Commissioner-General Pierre Krahenbuhl said that Palestinian refugees at Yarmouk camp have suffered pain over the long years of conflict, and expressed his concern about the fate of thousands of civilians, including Palestinian refugees, after more than a week of dramatically increasing violence, Wafa news agency reported. UNRWA explained that the current hostilities killed, injured and displaced some 5,000 Palestinian refugees in Yarmouk camp and the neighbouring Yilda area. There is also uncertain number of civilians besieged in Yarmouk and in desperate need of a safe passage out of the camp. UNRWA reiterated its appeal to all conflicting parties to excercise self-control in order to ensure the protection of civilians and to take measures to prevent any damage to infrastructure. It also called for an immediate opening of a safe corridor for civilians willing to leave the camp and neighbouring areas and to evacuate the sick, wounded and elderly people from it. Krahenbuhl stressed that UNRWA is ready to provide urgently needed assistance at Yarmouk and its surrounding areas when the security situation allows them to access the camp.
