Palestine Return Center (PRC) expresses deep anxiety over the conditions of Palestinians in Gaza, especially refugees who are the majority. A harsh siege followed by a deadly war has destroyed the lives of people there. PRC calls for a prompt intervention to ease the refugees' conditions in Gaza until long term solution is implemented.
The PRC has been calling for a resolution to the ongoing problem of refugees. The Refugees of Gaza as well as abroad demand that their basic human rights, right of return, and self determination which is recognized by UN resolution 194 and International law.
For almost 3 years now; the Israeli siege on Gaza has been unrelenting in its destruction of Gazan life. Many people have died because they are not even able to travel abroad for treatment while others still continue to suffer as their health conditions tragically deteriorate. An entire population of 1.5 million Gazans, mostly refugees, suffer from lack of medicine, food, power and fuel.
The siege is grimly affecting the people of Gaza, especially the refugees who are concentrated in small camps. United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) housing projects estimated at $350 million were halted as Israel will not allow construction materials into Gaza. Hundred of thousands were eagerly awaiting that project but no hope and respite was to come. The war has created a zone of perpetual misery, where refuges are made refuges making a grim life even grimmer.
The majority of the population in Gaza are refugees whose number is estimated to be 1, 200 out of 1.5 million. Over half of the refugees in Gaza live in eight camps. Most of the people who fled to the Gaza Strip as a result of the 1948 Arab-Israeli war were from Jaffa, towns and villages south of Jaffa, and from the Beersheva area in the Negev.
According to UNRWA the refugee camps in the Gaza Strip have one of the highest population densities in the world. For example, over 80,688 refugees live in Beach camps whose area is less than one square kilometer. This high population density is reflected in the overcrowded UNRWA schools and classrooms. More than 2,066 new pupils registered in the Agency's schools for the year 2004/2005. on average, 81% of the camps houses are connected to sewers and a total area of paved roads and alleys is 385,000m2.
UNRWA, whose purpose is to alleviate the burden of refugees is facing unprecedented strain in fulfilling its obligations due to lack of funding. PRC is appealing to British Gov. to find resource for UNRWA to fulfill its vital obligations upon which the people of Gaza are completely reliant.
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