The images of displaced, injured and traumatised children that have flooded the media since October 2023 are etched into our minds. More than 14,500 children were killed and nearly 40,000 children were orphaned during the bombardment. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund, more than one million children in Gaza are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, and half of the 1.9 million internally displaced people in Gaza are children.
Now, with a ceasefire in place, we have a critical opportunity to scale our response to the overwhelming needs of children in Gaza.
Islamic Relief’s Orphan Sponsorship Programme in Palestine has grown from financially supporting 8,750 orphaned and vulnerable children before October 2023 to now supporting 18,000 orphaned children – many of whom were orphaned during the bombardment. However, we need your help extending our support to the additional 3,000 children still waiting to be registered to our Orphan Sponsorship Programme in Gaza.
Expanding Islamic Relief’s support for orphans
Amid very challenging conditions, Islamic Relief’s team and partners in Gaza are working tirelessly to support the children who are already enrolled into our Orphan Sponsorship Programme, while also opening new orphan registration points across Gaza, to enrol recently orphaned children in need of support and matching them with sponsors around the world.
Our Orphan Sponsorship Programme in Gaza, which aims to meet children’s basic needs, includes the provision of:
i. Nutritious food
This is a top priority as many orphaned children cannot be sure where their next meal will come from, and need regular nutritionally balanced meals.
ii. Shelter and safety
New permanent housing will be vital if the situation allows, as many of our orphaned children are displaced and living in overcrowded shelters, temporary homes, or even tents.
iii. Healthcare
Access to medical care, including treatment for potentially deadly and debilitating diseases, is essential, along with the provision of mental health support.
iv. Clothing and personal hygiene
Orphaned children need appropriate clothing for varying weather conditions, as well as access to personal hygiene items to prevent illness and protect their dignity.
v. Counselling and emotional care
The orphaned children that we support are traumatised and need a combination of counselling, trauma therapy and safe spaces where they can engage freely and begin to emotionally heal.
vi. Places to learn
Our orphaned children need school supplies, safe learning environments, and counselling and trauma therapy that are integrated into their schooling to help them cope emotionally while maintaining their studies.
vii. Social support
Orphaned children need strong social support networks to give them a sense of belonging, stability and emotional support.
viii. Protection
Orphaned children are particularly vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. They need protective services, legal support, and close observation and monitoring to ensure they are not being exploited in any way.
Facing up to a challenging future
We are deeply appreciative to supporters of our Orphan Sponsorship Programme for enabling us to enhance our impact in the lives of Gaza’s orphaned children and young people in this hour of unprecedented need. We hope and pray that, with your continued generosity, the lifeline we provide can be sustained in the long term.