Gaza: providing children with psychological first aid

Sara’s father and brother died in a bombing. Sara and her mother sought refuge in a displacement camp. Sara’s mother was hurt, and Sara had to take care of her.

One year into the crisis, as bombardment continues from the air and land, people continue to suffer, and survive, in unimaginably difficult circumstances. 1.9 million people have fled their homes since October 2023. Sara is just one of them.

When her mother’s health had recovered, Sara stopped speaking; she only cried. Her mother said that, “seeing Sara in despair was heart-wrenching.”

Dina also fled her home due to bombing. She and her family have been living in a public school. Life is difficult there, without regular water or electricity.

Her cousins died when a rocket hit their house. “I love them so much and I miss them dearly. We left our house carrying nothing but our souls, and running into the unknown.”

Dina misses her cousins, and her friends from home.

Counselling for children

The oPt Humanitarian Fund is funding the Palestine Save the Children Organization, a Palestinian organization based in Gaza, to support Sara, Dina, and other children like them through the worst days of their lives.

Dina met a counselor individually and in a group with other children her age. Through activities together they were able to talk more about what happened.

Her counsellor said that Dina is slowly engaging more with her siblings and making new friendships.

Sara was able to go to art therapy with a trained therapist. She drew pictures of broken hearts. However, it helped her start speaking about what had happened, and her feelings.

Sara’s mother also received support and guidance on how to help her daughter through this most difficult journey. “Sara has emerged from silence. She smiles, she speaks, and she makes her art,” her mother explained.

Published 6 October 2024

More information on the oPT Humanitarian Fund:
https://www.ochaopt.org/page/opt-humanitarian-fund
https://pfdata.unocha.org/

The oPt HF continues to raise funds to support partners via the public CrisisRelief campaign: Help the people of Gaza • (un.org)