Changing the trauma of war for children in Gaza

January 16, 2025
By Jacqueline Tingle
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has had a devastating impact on the physical and mental health of children. PWRDF is a longtime supporter of the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza that is operated by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem. With funding from PWRDF and other members of the Anglican Alliance, Al-Ahli launched a program in Al Mawasi to help children recover from the trauma and hardships of war.
In addition to the outpatient services for those suffering from various health issues, the Al Mawasi clinic offers psychosocial support to children and their caregivers. While participating in the program, children can play, learn and interact with others in a safe and supportive environment. “The program aims to foster self-development and acquire skills to overcome difficulties and struggles resulting from the war,” says Nevin Al Sheikh, the program’s coordinator. “It teaches them how to express their emotions and includes displaced children living in tents from the Gaza Strip.”
The program consists of five 90-minute sessions that are delivered over five days. The sessions are designed to be fun and engaging, with activities such as games, arts and crafts. However, they also provide a platform for children to share their experiences, process their emotions, and develop resilience to their situation in a safe space. The program strives to reintroduce some normalcy into the children’s lives, providing some structure that would typically be provided by a regular school schedule, were it not for the war.
Noor, a young girl participating in the program, lost her father, brothers and uncle in the war. She and her mother were both treated for illnesses at the hospital. Noor noticed the children playing and asked if she could too. After participating in the program activities, she now experiences less anxiety and is sleeping better. “I am grateful for the improvement she made,” says her mother. “The program helps her immensely. I’d like to express my gratitude to the hospital and the people responsible for creating this program in support of the children and Palestine.”

“I joined the program to address my difficulty sleeping, stress and anxiety,” says Leen, a young Palestinian girl participating in the program. “Since enrolling in the program, I have made significant improvements. I now sleep better and no longer feel anxiety or fear.”
Despite the program’s success, the Al-Ahli Hospital faces significant challenges in maintaining its operations.
“The hospital is going through medicine and supplies very quickly,” Sawsan Aranki-Batato, programs development officer for the Diocese of Jerusalem, told the Anglican Journal in November 2024. “We need advocacy for unlimited humanitarian aid to Gaza to save the lives of all people.”
As of January 2025, PWRDF has allocated $275,000 to the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem for the projects coordinated by the Anglican Alliance secretariat and co-funded by seven other funding agencies to support the Diocese of Jerusalem in six health and education institutions, including the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital.
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