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July 2001 - During April & May,  the 7^th & 8^th  month of the Al-Aqsa Intifada (“Uprising”), the Israeli Occupation Force has escalated its aggression and illegal use of collective punishment by destroying the homes, businesses and agricultural land of Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and Gaza.  Between 12-18 April 2001, Israeli forces used lethal sea, air and land artillery to shell Palestinian houses and other civilian establishments as well as police and security apparatus posts and headquarters. Military bulldozers were used to demolish civilian homes and military posts, especially in the Gaza Strip, and civilian houses in Hebron, Bethlehem and surrounding areas were subjected to shelling with artillery and heavy ammunition.  On April 11, 31 homes were shelled and then bulldozed in Al-Gharbi Refugee Camp, killing 2 and injuring 37.  On Apr 14, the Israeli Army used the same methods to destroy 16 houses and 21 stores in Rafah Refugee Camp, leaving 168 homeless and 46 injured.  In the early hours (starting at 2.00am) of Wednesday morning, 2^nd May, 2001, Israeli army, tanks, and bulldozers entered the Palestinian Authority area of Brazil Refugee Camp.  Many houses along the Egyptian border area were completely demolished, and many other buildings severely damaged.  In another area, further east along the Egyptian border, farm areas and other houses were demolished. (LAW – Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment, see www.lawsociety.org )

In response to this situation, HUMANSERVE  has sent $10,000 in emergency funds to the Social Welfare Department of the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) to assist with providing basic necessities for the victims of home demolitions, such as food, temporary shelter, clothing, blankets, medicines and milk for the children.  The PRCS was on-site immediately following the disasters caused by the Israeli aggression with teams of social workers, doctors, nurses and psychologists in order to assess the needs and begin caring for the victims.  They have set up tents that are used as emergency field hospitals and continue to maintain a presence in the demolition zones.

We are pleased to announce that the Wild Rose Foundation of Alberta approved our application for a matching grant of $10,000 and that the monies were transferred to the PRCS on July 27th, 2001.

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PO Box 37011

Edmonton, AB

Canada  T5R 1E0