HC Deb 09 July 2002 vol 388 c870W
Dr. Tonge

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment she has made of the humanitarian situation in the Jenin Refugee Camp in the occupied territories. [67036]

Clare Short

Jenin remains under military curfew, and has been subject to intermittent military incursions since the beginning of April 2002, when the Government of Israel began Operation Defensive Shield in the west bank. UNRWA estimates ten per cent. of the camp was destroyed. Over four hundred families have been made homeless, while another 1,200 shelters are in urgent need of repair. The social and economic well being of both the camp and town residents is deteriorating as the incursions and restrictions continue. UNRWA is responding to the situation in Jenin Camp by providing humanitarian supplies, clearing unexploded munitions and rubble, and reinforcing, or removing, damaged buildings. We are in the process of recruiting and funding, on behalf of UNRWA, a small team of engineers to manage the camp rebuilding process.

Forward to