2017 ME072 PS4003 PS4005 3 Wars Later: Helping Children Heal

Conflict and Consequences: A ten-year-old child born in the Gaza Strip has already survived three major military assaults, and has been under siege her entire life. The 10 year blockade is crippling the local economy and denying Gaza’s children and young people access to education and employment opportunities outside the tiny strip of land. The 2014 Gaza conflict saw 1,462 Palestinian civilians killed, including 551 children, as well as 3,436 children injured. 6 Israeli civilians were also killed. War Child staff and partners continue to witness the severe traumatic impact of the 2014 Gaza conflict on children. Continuing sporadic rocket fire, military incursions, cross-border shootings, and airstrikes along Gaza’s border areas serve as a frequent and terrifying reminder for these children, many of whom live in fear of another outbreak of conflict. While the protracted occupation is a significant root cause of much of the violence and ill-treatment that children are exposed to in the oPt, social norms are also a major factor. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS), girls, children in conflict with the law, ex-detainees, children with disabilities, working children, and children in residential care are most vulnerable to violence, with incidents occurring mostly in their homes, streets and at schools. Perpetrators often include parents and other members of the extended family, teachers, and police officers. General Objective: Improve the psychosocial wellbeing of conflict affected girls and boys in marginalized areas of Gaza Expected Results: Children and young people in marginalised communities in Gaza: • Are better able to express their needs and have improved relationships with peers and adults • Are better protected by their communities and caregivers from violence, neglect and abuse • Experience reduced psychological distress