World Vision provides psychological first aid for children in Gaza

As the Gaza conflict enters its third week, more than 800 people have been killed and thousands injured, the vast majority of whom are civilians and over 185 are children. 

In the midst of this very chaotic and dangerous situation, World Vision has been supporting 7,000 mothers who had previously been trained in ‘Psychological First Aid’ to help their children to cope with the terrible events they have witnessed.

Right after the last war on Gaza in November 2012, World Vision started training mothers on providing Psychological First Aid for their children. This has been of great benefit during this cycle of violence as mothers were able to provide this much needed support to their children and help them deal with their fears and anxiety during this tragic time.

Many families have been forced to evacuate their homes whilst dealing with injured members and losing loved ones and some of the mothers World Vision trained are hosting evacuated relatives and friends in their homes.

Having worked in South Gaza since 2001, and North Gaza since early 2007, World Vision has seen thousands of children experiencing severe psychological trauma and emotional wounds. The current conflict is ripping open old wounds and many children are struggling to cope. They are very scared, confused and fearful of facing the future.

“My mother was killed during Al Shujajea massacres, and I felt that I couldn’t live without her” – Asma, an 11 year-old girl shared with World Vision. Another girl called Nour, 14, said “I have severe anxiety during the night because I know that the bombs increase during this period.”

Many children in Gaza are terrified, sad, and some are exhibiting signs of post-traumatic stress, agitation, lack of feelings of security and problems sleeping.

As the conflict continues to escalate, World Vision has been on the ground providing emotional support for children and mothers.

As well as training mothers, WV staff have visited those affected by the violence and encouraged children to express themselves and cope with feelings of trauma, anxiety and fear, using methods of drawing, playing and verbal counselling .

Earlier this week World Vision was  in Al Awda hospital in Northern Gaza where we gave children art supplies and asked them to paint whatever came to mind. Many children painted warplanes and bombed houses. After their art work was done, the children shared their feelings about what they had painted, and the reasoning behind the painting. Asma said, “through sharing my story with other children, and even crying with the others, helped comfort me.” Art is one way to help children process what they are going through, and more importantly, to begin to deal with their emotional injuries.

Children should not be used as pawns in political conflicts. All children – whether they are Palestinian or Israeli – have the right to live in safety, free from violence, fear and conflict.

Palestinian children are getting killed, injured and deprived of their loved ones and homes. Both Israeli and Palestinian children are suffering from fear and anxiety due to increased violence. Any lasting peace in the Middle East must recognise the fundamental human rights of Israelis and Palestinians to be secure within recognised borders. We call for an immediate halt to this vicious cycle of violence and for a lasting and just peace in the region.

For more information, please check out the latest blog written by Alex Snary, World Vision's National Director in the Gaza office here.