UN agency continues emergency food distribution in West Bank communities

With food shortages still plaguing West Bank communities, the United Nations agency assisting Palestinian refugees today continued its emergency distributions in several areas, including in Nablus and Jenin.

Food shortages were reported in Nablus, particularly flour, which is the main commodity being distributed in that area by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

The Agency also conducted emergency disbursements in a number of villages in Hebron, Bethlehem and Ramallah, including some neighbourhoods of Ramallah town itself.

UNRWA's medical team in Jenin operated from the Agency's clinic in the camp today, UN officials said. The curfew on Jenin town and camp has been lifted, although a tight closure remains around both areas.

Of the 95 UNRWA-run schools in the West Bank, only 13 were operating due to the closures and curfews.

Preliminary estimates of damage to refugee shelters in the latest incursion of 29 March show that over 300 shelters in Tulkarm, Nur Shams, Balata, Askar and Camp Number 1 have been severely damaged, in addition to some 800 shelters in Jenin camp. Another 170 refugee houses in Qalqilya and Hebron towns have also suffered damage.