Security Council Press Statement on Yarmouk Refugee Camp

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Dina Kawar (Jordan):

The Members of the Security Council expressed their deep concern regarding the grave humanitarian situation in Yarmouk Refugee Camp in Syria.

The Members of the Security Council called for unhindered humanitarian access to the Yarmouk Camp and for the protection of civilians inside the Camp.  They welcomed United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East’s (UNRWA) and the Deputy Special Envoy’s recent efforts in Syria and stressed the need to support the emergency relief effort for civilians in Yarmouk including through funding the $30 million emergency appeal and to provide the diplomatic and political support for UNRWA.

The Members of the Security Council underscored support for United Nations efforts to assist trapped Palestinian refugees in Yarmouk through a three-point plan that includes:  1)  Providing assistance for civilians who are unwilling or unable to leave Yarmouk; 2)  Assisting those who want to "temporarily relocate" from the camp to do so in accordance with international humanitarian law and with appropriate safeguards that they will be allowed to do so safely and freely; and 3) Assisting Yarmouk residents who have already fled.

The Members of the Security Council called on all parties to support the United Nations framework and to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law, international human rights and refugee laws, and demanded that all parties cease all attacks against civilians, including shelling and aerial bombardment.

The Members of the Security Council condemned all acts of terrorism perpetrated and demanded that ISIL [Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant/Sham] and Al-Nusra Front, United Nations Security Council-designated terrorist organizations, withdraw from Yarmouk Camp immediately.

The Members of the Security Council called on all parties to immediately implement the relevant Security Council resolutions including Security Council resolutions 2139 (2014), 2165 (2014) and 2191 (2014) and in line with the international humanitarian law.

The Members of the Security Council stressed that the Council has to remain seized on this matter.