COVID-19 Threatens Fresh Crisis in Gaza
Sept. 17, 2020
Major COVID-19 Outbreak in Gaza
Children in Gaza are living in the midst of an unprecedented humanitarian crisis following a major COVID-19 outbreak. Infection cases in the densely populated enclave - home to 1.9 million people - have soared from a mere 13 to over 1,500 over the past three weeks.
Authorities are struggling to contain the rapid surge in community transmission. Gaza’s two major hospitals are overwhelmed and many infected people are being housed in 18 overspill quarantine facilities. A further 8,500 people are living in home isolation or home quarantine.
Stress levels among Gaza's population are even higher than usual - with children particularly affected. All schools are currently closed and opportunities for home learning are limited.
Parents are frequently unable to access laptops and mobile phones for their children to use - and both electricity and internet access are scarce. Economic privations are limiting the ability of families to meet basic childcare needs - with significant negative impacts on mental health and emotional wellbeing.
War Child is distributing Child Care Kits to families in Gaza
We are working to uphold the social and emotional wellbeing of families across Gaza
Working to uphold wellbeing
War Child is working with its local partner organisations to uphold the social and emotional wellbeing of families across Gaza. We are leading the distribution of hygiene and child care kits directly to children and caregivers at their homes. We are also adapting our psychosocial support and awareness-raising activities for delivery over radio and printed materials.
We are actively working to support caregiver wellbeing - including through a series of video animations to support both parents and children to manage stress and difficult emotions. Parents can also access stress-reduction resources via mobile phones as part of our Caregiver Support Intervention. We have also expanded our support for children through our adapted TeamUp at Home project.
Support our work
The impact of COVID-19 on the ability for vulnerable Palestinians to secure basic needs has been devastating. War Child is working across the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) to both meet these needs and uphold psychosocial wellbeing.
Donate now to support our vital work in oPt
