UN aid workers assess damage in Palestinian camps after Israeli incursions

Following the departure of Israeli forces from Palestinian refugee camps, the United Nations relief agency in the area has begun assessing the damage to housing and infrastructure.

In Balata refugee camp - the largest in the West Bank - technicians from the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) found that 244 dwellings were partially destroyed during the fighting, and 6 others completely demolished, a UN spokesman said today.

The Agency provided some 26 families in Balata with emergency shelter and delivered food to about 500 families living in the camp. UNRWA trauma teams are also helping children deal with the conflict.

Meanwhile, damage assessment has just begun in the Jenin camp, where UNRWA expects to start emergency food distribution on Wednesday.