The Syrian conflict is "devastating" the lives of Palestinian refugees in the country, a UN agency said Monday, after weekend shelling of a Palestinian camp in the southern province of Daraa.
"Initial reports indicate the [Daraa] Palestine refugee camp was directly affected by intensive armed conflict on October 12, 2013, alleging that seven Palestine refugees were killed and 15 others injured," said the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
"The armed conflict is devastating Palestinian lives and homes," it said, adding that Saturday's violence in Daraa also damaged a health center and a women's program center.
Michael Kingsley-Nyinah, director of UNRWA affairs in Syria, also urged an end to fighting in the camps.
"UNRWA repeats its calls on all parties to desist from conducting armed conflict in Palestine refugee camps and other civilian areas and to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law," he said.
UNRWA's statement comes two days after government warplanes and tanks pounded parts of the Daraa camp amid fierce clashes pitting rebels against regime loyalists, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Other Palestinian camps in Syria have also suffered extensive damage during the 31-month conflict.
But because of ongoing violence there, UNRWA says it is very difficult to assess the damage.
"Initial reports indicate the [Daraa] Palestine refugee camp was directly affected by intensive armed conflict on October 12, 2013, alleging that seven Palestine refugees were killed and 15 others injured," said the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
"The armed conflict is devastating Palestinian lives and homes," it said, adding that Saturday's violence in Daraa also damaged a health center and a women's program center.
Michael Kingsley-Nyinah, director of UNRWA affairs in Syria, also urged an end to fighting in the camps.
"UNRWA repeats its calls on all parties to desist from conducting armed conflict in Palestine refugee camps and other civilian areas and to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law," he said.
UNRWA's statement comes two days after government warplanes and tanks pounded parts of the Daraa camp amid fierce clashes pitting rebels against regime loyalists, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Other Palestinian camps in Syria have also suffered extensive damage during the 31-month conflict.
But because of ongoing violence there, UNRWA says it is very difficult to assess the damage.
