Fear and despair in Gaza

SOS Children’s Villages in Palestine reports that all children in our care, participants of our family strengthening programme, and staff are safe. The team has worked on an emergency plan with several scenarios to ensure the safety and protection of children and families.

The SOS family care unit at the SOS Children’s Village in Rafah reopened its short-term care facility on 15 May to receive displaced children without parental care, and is now ready to host seven children. One house has been opened and a psychologist is ready to support them. SOS Children’s Villages is coordinating with the Ministry of Social Development to welcome children when it is safe for them to move.

More than 150 families from the family strengthening programme have evacuated their homes, 50% of them to UNRWA schools or to relatives. Some their homes were partially destroyed.

Mohammad Shalaldeh, National Director of SOS Children’s Villages Palestine, has issued the following statement on the current escalation of violence in the Gaza strip:

“We are continuously concerned for our families, children and co-workers’ mental and physical wellbeing. We cannot ignore the level of despair and fear this escalation of violence has created in our community and for the children and families we support. The field team in Gaza is keeping in touch with families to provide them with guidance and direction for any emerging escalation.

We maintain coordination with all parties including the Ministry of Social Development, UN Humanitarian Cluster, Palestinian Red Crescent Society, and UN Education Cluster. SOS Children’s Villages Palestine is responding as quickly as possible to support children and families who have been displaced by this raging conflict.”