UNRWA has condemned the killing of one of its staff members Ali Husein Mohammad, following an outbreak of armed violence in Jillin, rural Daraa, south of Syria.

“The thoughts and condolences of UNRWA staff are with Mohammad’s family in this time of profound grief”, said UNRWA in a statement released earlier this week.

Born in 1977, Mohammad had served with UNRWA since September 2013 as a science teacher. He is survived by a widow and four children. 

“UNRWA provides critical services to the Palestine refugees in Jillin and has continued to provide assistance to Palestine refugees throughout Syria thanks to the dedication of staff like Mohammad. His tragic death, which brings to 19 the total number of UNRWA staff who lost their lives in the conflict is a reminder of the huge risks that humanitarian workers face daily”, UNRWA’s statement further read.

UNRWA has appealed to all parties to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law, particularly in relation to the protection of civilians and the prohibition of indiscriminate attacks and attacks against civilians and civilian objects.

UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and mandated to provide assistance and protection to some 5.6 million Palestine refugees registered with UNRWA across its five fields of operation. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank, including East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip achieve their full human development potential, pending a just and lasting solution to their plight.