UNRWA IS ALARMED AND SADDENED BY AN ERW INCIDENT THAT AFFECTED PALESTINE REFUGEE CHILDREN IN EIN EL TAL, ALEPPO

01 September 2021

On the afternoon of 31 August 2021, seven Palestine refugee boys between the ages of 10

and 14 were playing in the heavily damaged Ein el Tal Camp in Aleppo, when a nearby

explosive remnant of war (ERW) exploded. Six boys were hit by shrapnel, injuring three

of them lightly and three seriously. All of them are suffering from psychological trauma as

a result of the tragic incident.

UNRWA Health and Relief and Social Services Staff, operating in Ein el Tal Camp at the

time, were able to offer immediate first aid before the children were transferred to a

hospital in Aleppo city for treatment. Four of them were discharged the same day, while

the other three are still hospitalized. As we publish this statement, one 12-year-old

remains in critical condition.

UNRWA is saddened and shocked by this tragic and violent incident involving Palestine

refugee children and affecting families living in Ein el Tal camp, as well as those who

might wish to return.

UNRWA, once more and with a renewed sense of urgency, highlights the danger of ERW

on civilians and the urgent need of marking and clearance, removal or destruction of such

ERW in areas where people are returning.

UNRWA has and will continue to prioritize ERW risk awareness raising in its schools and

within the communities, particularly targeting the population living in the heavily affected

Ein el Tal, Yarmouk and Dera’a camps

Background Information:

Ein el Tal camp used to be home to some 7,000 Palestine refugees before the conflict in

Syria led to large scale destruction and displacement. All UNRWA facilities in the camp

have suffered high levels of damage, and all camp residents were displaced. Currently,

around 120 families have returned to the camp. The children of Ein el Tal have grown up

in a world of war and devastation. UNRWA has enhanced its efforts to do preventive and

awareness raising protection activities, and to provide psychosocial support through the

Mikhael Kashour (government) school in Aleppo, the community centre in Neirab, and in

the camp itself.