Gaza’s Children and Mental Health Challenges
As a result of constant violence and displacement, more than 500,000 children in Gaza need immediate psychological help, according to a report shared by UNICEF. Almost every child in Gaza has faced a traumatic event that has changed their life, such as witnessing bombs and air strikes, losing loved ones and homes.
The weight of such events has taken away their childhood innocence and left them feeling anxious, scared and mentally broken!
Not even schools and shelters, which should be safe places, can keep children safe in Gaza. People and children live in terror since knowing that no place is safe from the horrors of war. They are suffering more and losing hope because they lack security. The pain becomes a burden that they have carried with them forever, and it affects their ability to feel connected, grow and do well in life. The psychological wounds deepen daily, preventing them from dreaming, learning or even smiling. Even before the war Children were facing severe emotional distress (an average increase of 25% from 55% in 2018 to 80% in 2022).
Now more than ever, these children and families need help right away so they can get the hope and healing they deserve.
Life in Gaza One Year Ago
People in Gaza were already having a hard time a year ago because of the long-term ban and the occasional fighting. There was still hope for the families. Even though they were under a lot of stress, schools kept operating, and families ate together and laughed while they dealt with their problems. Even though problems were always there, they had what people needed to survive.
Now Gaza Turned to Debris
After all this time, Gaza is nothing like it used to be. The constant bombs, blockades, and damage over the past year have turned the streets that used to be full of life into a mess. Thousands of people have died, homes have been destroyed, and entire communities have been forced to move.
As of the beginning of 2024, 67% of buildings in northern Gaza and 71% of buildings in Gaza City had been crushed or destroyed. As Israeli military operations moved south in response to actions by Hamas, places like Deir al-Balah, Khan Younis, and Rafah were hit harder by bombings and clearance operations, which caused even more damage.
According to Al Jazeera News, The statistics highlight the terrible human and infrastructure cost of Israel's attack on Gaza during the past year.
- Over 41,615 Palestinians have been killed, including 16,756 children. At least 97,303 people have been injured, with 22,500 suffering injuries.
- Along with that, 114 hospitals and clinics have been rendered inoperative, and over 986 healthcare aid workers have died. However, the story is not over yet.
- There is a humanitarian crisis in which almost 96% of Gaza’s population faces severe food shortages, 75% suffer from disease due to inadequate sanitation, and clean water is inaccessible for 95% of the population.
- Over 150,000 homes and 80% of commercial facilities have been destroyed, with $33 billion in direct damage to Gaza. 75,000 tonnes of explosives have been dropped, leaving behind 42 million tonnes of rubble.
These statistics illustrate the immense destruction in Gaza, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis affecting every aspect of life.
Due to the ongoing situation, helping people in need is more critical than ever. But beyond immediate aid, Gaza needs solutions for the future that rebuild hope and life in Gaza.
Your Support can be a Hope!
“Every child deserves a life free from hunger, fear and uncertainty in this life.”
Yoursupportcanmakethispossible. The Messenger ofAllah (PBUH)said,
“Whoever does not show mercy to our young ones, or acknowledge the rights of our elders, is not one of us.”
Our teams are on the ground delivering life-saving aid to the children and people of Gaza. Donate to our Palestine and Gaza Emergency Appeal, and your gift will help us provide food, clean water, and shelter for more people in need. Together, we can help them find hope when they feel hopeless.
