International Save the Children Alliance
Gaza
For more than two years the blockade of the Gaza Strip has caused a protracted human dignity crisis that is reflected in almost every aspect of daily life: over 140,000 people, willing and able to work, are currently unemployed with over a million living in poverty and reliant on food aid. Most of the 6,420 families whose homes were destroyed or severely damaged during the last military offensive are still displaced due to the ongoing ban on the entry of construction materials. In the extreme summer heat in Gaza, almost no one has continuous electricity supply to operate refrigerators or air conditioning, and some people still have no access electricity at all. Patients requiring specialized medical treatment unavailable in Gaza must overcome a long and arduous permit processing system, resulting in unnecessary anguish and stress.
This blockade is collectively punishing the entire Gazan population. The UN, the ICRC, many states and humanitarian organizations, have repeatedly urged the Government of Israel to remove the restrictions on Gaza’s borders as well as to allow free access to agricultural areas within Gaza and to fishing areas in Gaza’s territorial waters. These are the urgent first steps needed to start the reconstruction of homes and infrastructure, the revival of the economy, and the restoration of human dignity in Gaza.
The Impact on Children
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has been created by the escalation of conflict and by years of instability and political tensions. Intensive military operations that began on December 27 2008 exacerbated the deterioration of social services and infrastructure throughout Gaza. The situation has reached a critical level for many children who are exposed to and experiencing violence, fear and unrest in their communities. Caregivers say children are showing signs of emotional distress and exhaustion. Children are at greater risk of malnutrition because of the shortages of food and dairy products. The crisis also has limited children's ability to continue their studies and interact with their peers because they may not be able to attend school or leave their home.
Neda's Story
Neda El Tibi, (15), lives in Gaza, she was walking home from school when the bombing started.
“On Saturday, I was coming back home at 11.30am. I had just finished my Arabic exam. I was walking down the street with my three friends and suddenly we heard the bombing. We tried to escape but we didn’t know how to. Everyone was running down the street. We didn’t know how to save ourselves.
“It took about half an hour to reach my home and the shelling continued. I feared all of my family would be injured. I can’t express how I feel at the moment - the past five days have been terrible. I am afraid. I don’t know if they will continue the exams or when we will go back to school. [When I am older] I want to be a doctor to help the children - save the children. I hope to live in peace like other people in the world.” 
Save the Children's Response
Save the Children, which has worked in the Middle East since 1949, has one of the largest humanitarian operations in the region. Since the bombing last December, we have directly assisted 13 000 children, by providing food parcels, implementing "cash-for-work" activities for households, creating safe play areas, and afterschool psychosocial support for children and youth. We plan to reach another 150 000 people.
Save the Children needs your support to help us meet the most critical needs of children and families in Gaza. Please visit www.savethechildren.org or your national Save the Children organisation.
More information
For more information and for interviews, please contact Kate Conradt, Director, Media and Communications, on: +1-202-640-6631, Kate's local number in Jersualem -- 00-972-543-134-229
More on our response
Eye Witness Accounts
Voices: Nawal - Ready to run and play
Voices: Diary of an Aid Worker - Dispatch to Gaza
Video: Mohammed's story
Voices: Diary of an Aid Worker: Osama
Voices: Diary of an Aid Worker: Salwa El Tibi
Voices: A story from Saleem
Press Releases
Save the Children Renews Calls for an immediate Ceasfire in Gaza (15 January 2009)
'Pitiful' amount of aid reaching Gaza (14 January 2009)
Newborns and Babies in Gaza Face Increasing Health Threats (11 January 2009)
Vulnerability of Children in Gaza Increases (10 January 2009)
Brief Cease Fire Brings Little Relief to Families in Gaza - Save the Children (07 January 2009)
Save the Children strongly protests the continued violence in Gaza that has now claimed the lives of more than 100 children (06 January 2009)
Save the Children Delivers Food to Families in Gaza Despite Violence (04 January 2009)
Save the Children launches US$ 10 million appeal (31 December 2008)
Crisis Deepens for the Children of Gaza (30 December 2008)
Help Us Help the Children of Gaza (19 December 2008)