The Communications Director of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Juliette Touma, affirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that 70 of the agency’s employees have lost their lives due to recent Israeli military operations against Hamas in Gaza.
Touma explained that 690,000 Palestinians are currently residing in UNRWA shelters. She pointed out that agency employees are enduring challenging times as they work around the clock to provide the minimum resources to keep people alive.
Moreover, Touma called for an “immediate ceasefire” and the securement of humanitarian aid delivery routes.
Touma spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat over the phone from Amman, stating that the agency’s current focus is on addressing the massive and unprecedented humanitarian needs of Palestinian communities in Gaza.
She explained that initial plans included the worst-case scenario of a quarter of the Palestinian population seeking refuge with UNRWA.
UNRWA is far beyond its capacity, noted Touma, affirming that there are 690,000 people who have sought shelter in 150 locations throughout Gaza.
She added that UNRWA’s efforts are constrained due to the immense magnitude of the needs of Palestinians in Gaza, the tight blockade on Gaza, ongoing conflict and bombardment, and shortages in supplies, including fuel, food, and medicine.
Touma emphasized that the UN agency does not have sufficient resources to meet people’s needs.
Regarding the number of agency employees in Gaza, Touma stated that pre-war data indicates UNRWA had 13,000 employees.
She also confirmed the loss of 70 colleagues, including men and women, with most of them being teachers, school principals, medical workers, including a psychologist and a gynecologist, an engineer, support staff, and human resources personnel.
Concerning the hospitals in Gaza, Touma clarified that UNRWA currently manages nine medical facilities, which represent a third of what it typically operates.
