Cut off and starving: children in Gaza need help
SOS Children's Villages is deeply alarmed by the continued obstruction of humanitarian aid in Gaza. Without immediate access to humanitarian corridors, the risk of food insecurity, especially for children, will greatly increase.
An SOS Children's Villages Gaza staff member recounts the current situation in the SOS Children's Villages camp in Khan Yunis: "Currently, food supplies in the camp are limited. We continue to receive daily hot meals for the children and caregivers from World Central Kitchen, but the variety and nutritional value of these meals has decreased significantly due to ongoing supply shortages. For over a month, we relied on stored food supplies, which are now almost depleted. At current consumption rates, the remaining food is not expected to last more than two weeks."
Children, especially those without parental care, are among the most vulnerable. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, at least 39,384 children in Gaza have lost one or both parents since October 2023, including 17,000 who have lost both parents. Due to the widespread separation of families, many children no longer have trusted caregivers. These children are in urgent need of tracing services, family reunification support and protection.
The SOS Children's Village camp in Khan Yunis
The 10,000 m2 camp is located in the so-called humanitarian zone designated by the IDF (Israel Defense Forces). It accommodates a total of 151 people, including 38 unaccompanied children separated from their families, 5 children in long-term alternative care, 11 caregivers and 19 employees with their families. The youngest child arrived at the SOS Children's Village camp at just one day old, after his mother died at birth. Karam turned one year old a few days ago.
Our emergency aid projects also include psychological and psychosocial support for internally displaced persons outside the camp in Khan Yunis.
