The international community must join forces in calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. The situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, and the recent killing of seven World Central Kitchen aid workers highlights the appalling conditions on the ground.
Civilians in Gaza, including women and children, are dying from bombing and shelling, trapped without safe shelter and with little to no access to basic necessities such as healthcare, food, and safe drinking water.
Civilians must be protected, hostages must be released, and the safe transport and distribution of much-needed humanitarian aid must be ensured. The situation on the ground is dire. All parties involved must take responsibility for the protection of the civilian population.
Helping to alleviate war trauma for children in Gaza
Assistance is primarily through psychological interventions and group activities in 10 schools in Rafah and the central Gaza Strip. So far, 369 children have received psychological first aid sessions, and 1,876 children have participated in leisure activities, sometimes with their family members. During these activities, children engaged in various psychosocial exercises such as role-playing, storytelling, relaxation, breathing, and concentration games to help relieve stress and cope with emotional challenges.
"Helping children in war conflicts is crucial, so we are trying to alleviate the traumas that will affect their entire lives. In the extreme environment of the war in Gaza, we have supported War Child so that they and their local partner can continue this type of work as much as possible," says Marek Štys, head of humanitarian programmes at People in Need.