The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) on Saturday called on all armed groups to immediately vacate its premises in the Ein El Hilweh camp including schools and other service offices.
"UNRWA received reports this morning that another school compound has now been taken over by armed groups in the Ein El Hilweh Palestine refugee camp in southern Lebanon," Director of UNRWA Affairs in Lebanon, Dorothee Klaus said in a press statement published on the Agency's website.
"This brings the total number of schools taken over by armed groups in the camp to eight, risking the start of the school year in time for 5,900 children," she said pointing to credible reports of severe damage to the school buildings and looting of children's education material and equipment from the schools.
The presence armed groups in the camp is a grave violation of the neutrality and safety of UN installations and is a serious threat to the education for thousands of Palestine refugee children living in the camp, she stressed.
"In protest, UNRWA suspended its services in the camp yesterday (Friday) for one day. UNRWA resumed some service delivery this morning. The Agency remains committed to delivering services in the camp including health, solid waste collection and relief services wherever possible across the camp. We call for open access throughout the camp so that the agency reaches all of the 50,000 Palestine Refugees who rely on its assistance and services," the statement read.
Source: Qatar News Agency