UN agency alarmed by desperate humanitarian consequences in Syria refugee camp

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) was "greatly alarmed by the desperate humanitarian consequences being inflicted on civilians" in a Palestinian refugee camp near Damascus, a UN spokesman said here Monday.

"Civilians in Yarmouk are facing starvation and dehydration, as well as the heightened risks of serious injury and death from the armed conflict," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said at a daily news briefing.

He said the consequences came "as a result of armed conflict between extremist armed groups inside Yarmouk" since April 6.

"The fighting has been intense, and is taking place in the most densely populated areas of Yarmouk, with the use of heavy weapons, explosive devices and weapons of indiscriminate effect."

"Without humanitarian access to the camp, it is impossible to be precise about numbers of fatalities and injuries," the spokesman said.

Inside Yarmouk, UNRWA estimates that up to 10,000 civilians are trapped in their homes, where they are hunkered down to avoid being hit by bullets and shrapnel, the spokesman said.

"Whatever supplies of food and water they had have long been exhausted. UNRWA strongly deplores the inhumane deprivation currently imposed on civilians in Yarmouk."

"The (UN) Agency calls on the individuals and entities involved to cease hostilities, to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law, and to respect and protect the lives of civilians in Yarmouk," he said.

The humanitarian situation in the Yarmouk refugee camp rapidly worsened after the Islamic State launched an attack on the al-Nusra Front 10 days ago, reports said.

The Yarmouk camp was set up for Palestinian refugees in 1957, and it has with time developed into a residential neighborhood inhabited by both Palestinians and Syrians.

It had some 200,000 residents before the outbreak of the Syrian crisis in March 2011. Endit