Over 600,000 Children in Gaza Traumatised and Deprived of Education, Reports UNRWA
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has reported that over 600,000 children in Gaza are suffering from severe trauma and are being deprived of educational opportunities due to the ongoing conflict in the region.
The UNRWA chief highlighted that these children face not only psychological distress but also significant disruptions to their education, which is crucial for their development and prospects. The report underscores a critical humanitarian crisis as the conflict exacerbates the already dire conditions in Gaza.
The prolonged conflict in Gaza has led to extensive damage to infrastructure, including schools, which has severely impacted the educational system. Many schools have been repurposed as shelters for displaced families or damaged in the fighting, further disrupting the learning environment.
The psychological impact on children includes increased rates of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which are compounded by the loss of safe spaces and the lack of routine that schools typically provide.
UNRWA’s report emphasizes that the trauma experienced by these children is not just immediate but has long-term implications for their mental health and overall well-being. The ongoing violence and instability have created an environment where children are constantly exposed to distressing events, leaving them with deep-seated emotional scars.
The agency’s chief has called for urgent international support to address the immediate needs for psychological care and the longer-term requirements for rebuilding and rehabilitating educational facilities.
The severity of the conflict has hampered efforts to mitigate the impact on children. UNRWA has been working to provide some educational support and psychological assistance, but given the scale of the crisis, more is needed. The agency advocates for a comprehensive approach that includes increased funding for educational programs, mental health services, and the reconstruction of damaged schools.
The situation in Gaza has drawn international attention, with various humanitarian organizations and governments calling for a resolution to the conflict to prevent further harm to the civilian population, particularly the most vulnerable children. The international community faces the challenge of addressing both the immediate humanitarian needs and the underlying causes of the conflict to ensure a stable and secure environment for the children of Gaza.
