Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has appealed for $15.5 million to strengthen its humanitarian response following the armed clashes that took place in the Ain al-Hilweh Palestine refugee camp in southern Lebanon. According to the United Nations news bulletin, of which we received a copy this morning

Clashes between Palestinian armed groups in the camp between 29 July and 3 August left 13 people dead and more than 60 injured. Thousands of civilians were forced to flee their damaged or destroyed homes.

The agency said that the gunmen occupied all of its eight schools, which provide education for about 6,000 children, and the schools were severely damaged, materials were looted, and the school complexes were turned into bases for the militants.

“None of the eight UNRWA schools will be available for children at the start of the new academic year,” said Dorothy Claus, Director of UNRWA Affairs in Lebanon. “The damage has been significant and the conflict in the camp has not been resolved. With fighters continuing to occupy UNRWA schools, they remain unsafe. ".

The UNRWA appeal seeks to protect the education of the 5,900 students who must return to school on 2 October, so the agency is preparing alternative school sites outside the camp.

The appeal also includes further stabilization measures, reforms and relief interventions, such as financial assistance to Palestine refugees affected by conflict in the region.