Today, UNICEF briefed donors on the deteriorating effects of the conflict on Palestinian children, in particular during and after the Rafah invasions. UNICEF witnessed the beginning of cumulative effects on health, nutrition and education. With about half of the population being food iinsecure, the nutrition patterns have been disrupted, with important effects on children’s well-being. During the Rafah invasion, more than 45 new babies were born in houses, far from minimal obstetric and newborn care facilities. Read more about UNICEF witnesses cumulative effects of the conflict on health of Palestinian children 

A two-day conference hosted by the Swiss Government and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East opened this morning in Geneva to address the humanitarian needs of 4 million Palestinian refugees and to come up with the best practical solutions to attend to these needs. In his opening remarks, Peter Hansen, the Commissioner-General of UNRWA, said that the gathering was a testimony of the international community to the growing needs of the Palestinian refugees and was being held at an historic moment.  The conference was an opportunity for participants to work together on addressing key humanitarian aspects of the Palestinian refugees. Read more about Conference on humanitarian needs of Palestinian refugees opens in Geneva 

Ten United Nations institutions call on the Israeli authorities to ease restrictions on movement in the occupied territory to enable 60,000 Palestinian students to sit for their Tawjihi matriculation final exams beginning today 7th of June. Almost 60,000 Palestinian children out of the 1.2 million children of school age will sit for Tawjihi high school matriculation exams starting today. In Rafah alone, more than 3,000 school children will take these important and future defining exams. Read more about UN Bodies Concerned about Safe Access for 60,000 Palestinian school students to Exam Sites 

A total of 67 countries and 34 international organisations will gather at the Geneva International Conference Centre on 7-8 June 2004 for the largest conference on the Palestine refugee issue in 56 years. Around 300 delegates will discuss the future of humanitarian assistance to millions of refugees scattered across the Middle East. Today, one third of all Palestinian refugees live in camps in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Read more about 67 countries and 34 international organisations gather for largest ever conference on Palestine refugees 

Scores of Palestinians have left a camp in eastern Jordan in recent days, opting to return to the frequent bombings and tension in Baghdad rather than spend another day hoping for a solution to their plight. In the last week, 46 Palestinians who fled Iraq during last year’s US-led war to topple Saddam Hussein have left Jordan’s barren Ruweished refugee camp for the Iraqi capital. Twenty more are expected to follow on Wednesday night, while another 30 have indicated a willingness to leave for Baghdad in the coming days. The Palestinians were among more than 1,500 people who have been living in camps assisted by the UN refugee agency in eastern Jordan’s desert. Read more about Palestinians leave desert camp for Baghdad 

A new report by Oxfam International calls for the protection of civilians to be put at the top of the international agenda. The report calls for the Quartet, Israel and the Palestinian Authority to act urgently to reduce the impact of conflict on civilians. “The international community has a legal obligation to ensure respect for international humanitarian law,” the aid agency said. It also calls for end to the culture of impunity - with those who commit inhuman and criminal acts being brought to justice. “The international community is a like a rabbit caught in the headlights, paralysed by events as they unfold. It can and must do more to protect people on both sides - and start to ease the suffering.” Read more about Oxfam calls for protection of civilians