Upcoming report on young children in Gaza
The war in Gaza has had a devastating impact on children. A forthcoming report by Theirworld will provide detailed insights into the state of children in Gaza, calling on the global community to urgently support children aged 0-5.
Early findings include:
- More than 570,000 children under the age of six, along with pregnant and lactating women, are unable to access essential healthcare, nutrition, safety, or education. This figure represents over 25% of Gaza’s total population.
- Since October 7, 2023, approximately 11,000 children have been killed, and 90% of the population has been displaced. Millions of children and their families are now seeking refuge in overcrowded shelters, schools, or amidst the rubble of their former homes.
- Eighty-five percent of parents report that their children have gone at least one full day without food. Over 346,000 children require supplementary food and nutrients, with at least 50,000 in need of treatment for acute malnutrition.
- The war has left more than 20,000 children orphaned, unaccompanied, or separated from their parents. Most of these children have been placed with other families, with around 40% of households taking in children who are not their own.
- No areas in Gaza are safe for children to live, sleep, or play, with constant exposure to violence and destruction across the region.
- Rampant disease and illness are spreading due to unsanitary conditions, driven in part by the damage to and destruction of more than 60% of Gaza’s WASH infrastructure. This crisis is further compounded by a crippled healthcare system that has lost over half of its operating capacity.
- Thousands of children suffering from war-related injuries and amputations need emergency medical and surgical care, including access to prosthetics and rehabilitation services.
- Every child in Gaza is experiencing prolonged exposure to trauma and requires urgent mental health support.
While we cannot undo their loss and suffering, we can and must do everything in our power to make sure they live in safety and receive the support they need to overcome their pain and trauma. This report will outline how our collective efforts can help Gaza's youngest children build a healthy foundation through holistic early childhood interventions.
Maysa Jalbout, Senior Adviser on Education in Emergencies for Theirworld
Theirworld’s forthcoming report, Early Childhood Development in Gaza: A Call to Action, will:
- Shed light on the most critical challenges facing young children aged 0 to 5.
- Highlight the urgent needs of young children in health, nutrition, education, and protection.
- Call for the inclusion of a comprehensive early childhood development plan as part of post-ceasefire recovery efforts.
- Outline a path forward for engaging the global community in supporting UN agencies, local, and international organizations on the frontlines of delivering support to children.
This report is being developed in collaboration with UNICEF, OCHA, WHO, WFP, and UNRWA. International and local organizations serving young children in Gaza, including ANERA, Juzoor, SOS, Taawon, and others, have also been consulted.
The full report will be published before the end of 2024. To receive a copy of the report or to support our Gaza campaign, please fill out the contact form below.
This initiative is part of Theirworld’s global campaign, Act for Early Years.