2014 Gaza war orphans Confronting trauma and despair
2014 Gaza war orphans Confronting trauma and despair
Confronting trauma and despair Background In summer 2014, Gaza witnessed the worst war ever comparing with previous assaults, killing 2147 citizens, 40% of whom were women and children. Citizens of Gaza already face several challenges as a result of consecutive assaults against the strip. Suffering is complicated by the fact that Gaza is the world’s most densely populated area. Coupled with the blockade, the strip’s high population density leaves its residents with minimal access to basic services needed for a dignified livelihood; including healthcare, education, and economic activity.
8-year-old Qamar was orphaned and injured during the war in summer 2014, causing disability in speech and movement. She needs intensive speech therapy, psychological support and medical treatment.
A new study on Gaza orphans After the war, Welfare Association (WA) conducted aBackground study to assess the situation of orphans and the resilience of Palestinian families in the Gaza Strip with the psychological problems due to the ongoing blockade and war aftermath. The study came up with accurate data on numbers of families and children who were orphaned as a consequence of the war and the psychosocial problems that face them mainly affecting their health, wellbeing and education. During the assessment, WA questionnaired thousands of affected people and interviewed widows and children. From left: Abed, Ali, Samar, Samer and Rusul witnessed the killing of their father during Gaza war causing lasting trauma and fear (Photo:WA)
GOVERNORATE NO. OF FAMILIES NO. OF ORPHANS
NO. OF ORPHANS IN EACH AGE CATEGORY 600
543
555
500 400
322
300 200
182 128
156
139
100 0 <1
1-2
3-6
7-12
49% of new orphans are under age 6. (Ref. WA study)
13-15
16-18
North Gaza Middle Khan Younis Rafah Total
135
476
161
528
73
259
146
429
87
344
602
2036
18-22
Numbers of 2014 war orphans and their families in Gaza Strip governorates (Ref. WA study)
Stories from the field 2008/2009 experience Background WA is on the ground helping orphans of 2008/2009 war through a dedicated program “Mustaqbali” which provides an innovative strategy to change the course of these orphans’ lives. WA has established a track record of problem-solving in Palestine as an effective grantmaker, being well connected to community needs. Following the 2008 Gaza War, the WA provided care for 1,804 orphans, empowering these youth to lead dignified and self-determined lives. Mustaqbali provides a comprehensive, long-term approach to meet the needs of the 1,804 orphans, from infancy through age 22. The program surrounds each orphan with a fully-integrated support system throughout the critical years of childhood and adolescence, providing such things as education, healthcare, and housing.
6-year-old Baraka lost her father and had her mother severely injured in a shelling last summer in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza. She was sitting on her grandmother’s lap when the shelling occurred, killing the grandmother, uncles and nephews as well as injuring Baraka. Urgent intervention is needed for medical treatment and for longterm intervention.
Walaa’, Rawan and Batol are three sisters who lost their father in the war. Their home was destroyed and they are staying in uncle’s house where the whole family sleep in a corridor due to small space of the house. Due to their witnesses, they are no more willing to go to school and they need urgent psychosocial intervention and care to live a decent life.
Um Samer, a widow and mother of five children, recalls: “My children saw their father when he was dying. At that moment we were escaping our apartment which was severely destroyed during summer 2014 war.” Um Samer, who still has shrapnel in her body needs medical treatment as well as two of her children who were injured too. The family now lives in grandfather’s house with no income.
In the ground invasion to the north area of Beit Hanoun, Riwaa’ escaped with her family to a shelter, which was bombed and her father was killed and injuring two siblings. The home was also hit by several shells. She and eight family members now stay in their partially damaged house. The orphans of the family need special care and urgent psychosocial support intervention.
Children everywhere should have the right to be educated, protected and healthy. You have the power to bring that right to the orphans of Gaza.
PLEASE HELP!