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UNRWA Situation Report #10 on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank (including East Jerusalem), 21 October 2023

UNRWA

21 Oct 2023

Saturday, October 21, 2023

All information valid as of 20 October 2023 at 23:00 

Day 14 of the War  

Focus on shelter

Nearly 384,200 internally displaced people (IDPs) are sheltering in 90 UNRWA shelters in the Middle, Khan Younis and Rafah areas of the Gaza Strip. Due to continued bombardments in the southwest of Gaza area, in the last 24 hours the number of IDPs in the southern areas has increased by 16,000, with more than half of this increase in Rafah.

On 12 October 2023, before the evacuation order from the Israeli Authorities, nearly 160,000 IDPs were sheltering in 57 UNRWA schools in the northern and Gaza City governorates. UNRWA is no longer able to assist or protect the displaced in those areas and does not have information on their needs and conditions.

In an effort to improve conditions and reduce overcrowding at the Khan Younis Training Centre, where 17,000 IDPs are sheltering, UNRWA distributed 80 tents. UNRWA has not established any new camps in the Gaza Strip. The total number of Palestine Refugee camps in the Gaza Strip remains eight.

Living conditions in shelters are dire, with up to 70 people per classroom. Overcrowding, lack of privacy, limited availability of water and sanitation facilities are causing increased psychological distress. Anxiety, fear and grief are rising due to relentless Israeli Forces airstrikes, bombardments and the loss of family members, loved ones and people's homes. Tensions amongst IDPs are increasing, including reports of violent disputes in UNRWA shelters.

To provide a safer environment, women and children are accommodated in classrooms at night while men and adolescent boys stay outdoors in the schoolyards. UNRWA has some counsellors and social workers in the shelters. They provide psychological first aid and other specialized protection services. In all shelters, displaced persons established committees to help with their management.

In cooperation with the World Food Programme, (WFP) bread continues to be distributed at shelters. However, due to the increasing numbers of IDPs on a daily basis, bakeries are overwhelmed and do not have the capacity to produce sufficient bread. In coordination with other UN agencies, UNRWA is providing logistics support to provide health care and potable water to shelters.

Area General Updates

One more UNRWA colleague was confirmed killed in the Gaza Strip, bringing the total number to 17 since the war began.

In Gaza, two UNRWA schools sheltering IDPs in the Middle Area and Khan Younis and one health centre were impacted.

UNRWA is conducting a Rapid Gender Analysis to better respond to the impact of the current conflict.

UNRWA and UN partners are prepositioning supplies at Al Arish ahead of a potential opening of the Rafah crossing. The Agency is ready to support distribution of supplies able to enter the Gaza Strip to populations in need.

In the West Bank, there was an Israeli incursion into Nur Shams refugee camp, near Tulkarem. 13 Palestinians were killed and roads, electricity and water networks damaged.