Dorothy Klaus, the Director of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Lebanon, reported that around 400 homes have been demolished due to skirmishes in the Ain al-Hilweh camp, emphasizing that stability within the camp remains elusive.
During her virtual participation in the daily press conference in New York, Klaus elaborated on the aftermath of the armed confrontations that ignited on July 30th and continued for nearly a week.
She relayed that the hostilities forced hundreds of families to flee, some of whom have since returned to the camp. The clashes are believed to have resulted in the destruction of between 200 and 400 homes both within and surrounding the camp’s perimeters.
Klaus highlighted that an UNRWA school complex, capable of accommodating over 3,000 children, faced violations. Furthermore, other United Nations facilities, including additional schools and a health center, sustained damage. She announced, “We remain unable to access all areas of the camp comprehensively.”
The director clarified that the agency has resumed operations in 50% of the camp’s regions, with one health center reopened. Additionally, they have embarked on garbage collection, sanitation efforts, and debris removal.
