Food, water, medical supplies and electricity are running low for the thousands of people trapped by the fighting in refugee camp Nahr al Bared, near Tripoli in Lebanon.
Tuesday 29 May 2007
Almost half of those trapped in the camp are children, who are extremely vulnerable in times of armed conflict.
At least 12 people have been killed and 120 injured, including 22 children, in clashes between the Lebanese army and armed group Fatah al-Islam, according to Save the Children partners working in the camp. 31,000 people are currently registered in the camp, and casualties are likely to rise as the crisis evolves.
"Children are now getting caught up in the crossfire of this conflict, and humanitarian agencies must be able to get into the camps. Families are deeply frightened and children traumatised. Every possible precaution should be made to ensure they are protected and given the help they need."
Matt Cousins, Save the Children's programme director in Lebanon.
The fighting is the most serious of its kind since the end of the civil war in 1990. Save the Children UK is concerned that if the warring parties do not properly protect civilians, the situation could escalate into wider destabilisation of the 12 Palestinian camps in Lebanon, where approximately 400,000 Palestinians are registered inhabitants.
We are calling for:
- both sides to distinguish between military targets and civilians, and refrain from any methods of attack that could lead to increased impact on civilians, particularly children
- both sides to allow for the safe passage of humanitarian agencies to access the camp, and for civilians to leave the conflict area, should they desire to do so
- support for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), working with the Lebanese authorities and aid organisations, to improve overall living conditions in Palestinian refugee camps. This includes improving housing, infrastructure and access to health, education and employment opportunities.