The Plight of Gaza’s Youngest Generation

In the heart of the Middle East, a humanitarian catastrophe of unprecedented scale continues to unfold, with Gaza’s children paying the heaviest price. After nearly two years of sustained conflict, these young lives have been marked by trauma, loss, and deprivation on a scale difficult to comprehend. With at least 50,000 children reported killed or injured, over 21,000 left with disabilities, and more than 5,000 diagnosed with malnutrition in May 2025 alone, the situation demands immediate international attention and action . Yet, amidst these devastating statistics, there remains hope—through coordinated humanitarian efforts, psychological support, and educational opportunities, we can help Gaza’s children not just survive, but truly thrive again.

The conflict has created a generation of children familiar with loss but unfamiliar with normal childhood experiences. Many have lost family members, homes, and schools, with over 38,000 orphans now facing an uncertain future . The psychological toll is equally concerning, with every child in Gaza exposed to deeply distressing events and approximately 17,000 now unaccompanied or separated from their parents . Despite these challenges, organizations working on the ground are demonstrating that with proper support, these children can rediscover laughter, hope, and dreams for the future.

1. The Power of Nutrition to Help Gaza’s Children Recover

The nutritional crisis affecting Gaza’s children has reached catastrophic proportions. As of June 2025, an average of 112 children per day were being admitted for treatment of acute malnutrition, representing a 150% increase since February when a ceasefire was in effect and aid could enter in significant quantities . The situation is particularly dire for the 636 children diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition (SAM), the most lethal form of malnutrition that requires consistent, supervised treatment, safe water, and medical care to survive—all of which are increasingly scarce in Gaza .

The Vicious Cycle of Malnutrition and Disease

• Food insecurity: Virtually all households in Gaza are skipping meals daily, with many going full days without food
• Price inflation: The cost of basic food items has skyrocketed, with a 25kg bag of wheat flour reaching up to $1,000 when available
• Water contamination: With 93% of households facing water insecurity due to damaged infrastructure, waterborne diseases are spreading rapidly
• Disease vulnerability: Malnourished children are more susceptible to communicable diseases, creating a deadly cycle where disease exacerbates malnutrition

The most effective way to Help Gaza’s Children overcome this nutritional crisis is through supporting organizations that provide both immediate treatment and sustainable solutions. UNICEF remains the leading provider of nutritional services, delivering Ready-to-Use-Therapeutic-Food (RUTF) and other essential supplies, while the International Rescue Committee (IRC) screens children for malnutrition and provides lifesaving treatment .

2. Addressing Trauma: Psychological Support to Help Gaza’s Children Heal

Beyond physical wounds, the children of Gaza carry deep psychological scars that require specialized care and attention. Even before the current escalation, more than one million Palestinian children needed mental health and psychosocial support. Today, every child in Gaza has experienced profoundly distressing events—losing loved ones, witnessing violence, and enduring constant fear .

Success Stories of Healing and Hope

Organizations like Anera are implementing successful psychosocial support programs that demonstrate the resilience of Gaza’s children when given proper support. Their programs reach approximately 7,200 children between ages 4-11 and nearly 2,900 adolescents through group sessions, games, storytelling, and creative activities .

Tala’s story, a 17-year-old participant in Anera’s program, illustrates the transformative power of psychosocial support: “I come here to take part in awareness and support sessions that help us build our confidence. Here, we’re like one big family. It’s a safe, respectful place where we can say what’s in our hearts without being judged. Every time I come, I feel like I’m entering a beautiful world far away from depression, fear, and war” .

Similarly, Mesk, a young girl who became withdrawn after her home and temporary shelter were bombed, experienced remarkable transformation through psychosocial support. Her mother reported: “The change was almost immediate. She started talking again. She smiled. She looked forward to the sessions. It was like the light came back into her eyes” .

These programs are essential to Help Gaza’s Children process their trauma, develop coping mechanisms, and rebuild their sense of safety and normalcy. Without such support, children risk developing “toxic stress” that can disrupt brain development and lead to long-term health challenges .

3. Education as a Lifeline to Help Gaza’s Children Dream Again

The educational crisis in Gaza represents both a immediate challenge and a long-term threat to the region’s future. Currently, all formal schools remain closed to in-person education, leaving over 625,000 children without access to formal education for more than a year . Nearly 90% of schools have been damaged or destroyed, with those still standing often used as shelters for displaced families .

Innovative Educational Solutions Amid Conflict

Despite these challenges, organizations are developing creative approaches to ensure learning continues:

• Temporary learning spaces: Established during ceasefires to provide some educational continuity
• Educational tents: Set up in displacement camps to give children like Youssef—an 11-year-old orphan—the chance to continue learning
• Early childhood development programs: The IRC reaches over 22,000 children with structured activities in shelters, mobile kindergartens, and community spaces
• Psychoeducational integration: Combining psychological support with educational activities to address both learning and emotional needs

Education provides more than just academic instruction—it offers routine, normalcy, and hope for the future. As one teacher in Gaza explained: “Schools have transformed into empty shelters, devoid of any elements of a safe learning environment” . Restoring education is therefore essential to help Gaza’s Children regain their childhood and build foundations for a better future.

Table: Key Statistics on Children’s Crisis in Gaza

Aspect	Statistic	Source
Children killed or injured	At least 50,000
Children with disabilities	At least 21,000
Children treated for malnutrition (May 2025)	5,119
Orphans	38,000
Children out of school	625,000+

4. Comprehensive Approaches to Help Gaza’s Children Overcome Disability

The conflict has left at least 21,000 children with disabilities since October 2023, according to the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities . These children face additional challenges in accessing aid and protection, with Israeli evacuation orders often inaccessible to those with hearing or visual impairments, “rendering evacuation impossible” .

Barriers to Care for Children with Disabilities

• Lost assistive devices: 83% of disabled people have lost their mobility aids and assistive devices
• Dual-use restrictions: Items like wheelchairs, walkers, canes, splints and prosthetics are considered “dual-use items” by Israeli authorities and excluded from aid shipments
• Access challenges: Physical obstacles such as war debris prevent people with disabilities from reaching aid distribution points
• Limited distribution points: The replacement of the UN’s 400 distribution points with only four run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation dramatically reduces accessibility

To effectively Help Gaza’s Children with disabilities, organizations must develop targeted approaches that address these specific barriers. This includes advocating for the classification of assistive devices as essential humanitarian aid, creating accessible distribution systems, and providing specialized medical care and rehabilitation services.

5. How You Can Help Gaza’s Children: actionable Steps for Meaningful Impact

While the scale of the crisis can feel overwhelming, there are concrete ways that individuals around the world can make a meaningful difference in the lives of Gaza’s children. The most immediate way to help is through donations to established humanitarian organizations operating on the ground .

Effective Donation Strategies

• Prioritize organizations with proven track records: Look for groups like UNICEF, IRC, Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF), and Anera that have extensive experience in Gaza
• Check charity ratings: Research organizations through services like Charity Navigator or GuideStar, prioritizing those that allocate at least 75-80% of donations directly to program services
• Consider diverse support: Distribute donations across different need areas—emergency relief, education programs, psychological support, and medical care
• Monthly commitments: Regular donations provide sustained support for therapeutic food, clean water systems, and ongoing medical care

Beyond Financial Contributions

• Advocacy efforts: Contact elected representatives to urge support for unrestricted humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza
• Raise awareness: Share verified information from reputable sources on social media to educate others about the crisis
• Community events: Organize educational sessions, fundraising drives, or letter-writing campaigns to amplify calls for a ceasefire and humanitarian access
• Support ethical journalism: Engage with and share responsible reporting that tells the stories of Gaza’s children with dignity and respect

To truly Help Gaza’s Children, we must support organizations that provide comprehensive care addressing their physical, psychological, and educational needs. As Mohammad Issam Abu Zeina, a psychologist working with children in Gaza, explains: “This isn’t just a job. This is life. This is what I want to leave behind—something meaningful in the lives of these young people” .

Conclusion: From Survival to Thriving – Our Collective Responsibility

The children of Gaza have endured unimaginable suffering, but with sustained international support, they can transition from barely surviving to genuinely thriving. The situation remains dire—thousands face starvation, disease, and trauma—but the work of organizations on the ground demonstrates that positive change is possible when adequate resources are available.

As we have seen through the stories of Tala rediscovering confidence, Mesk finding her smile again, and Youssef pursuing his education despite unimaginable loss, children possess remarkable resilience when given proper support. The international community must therefore continue to advocate for full humanitarian access, an immediate ceasefire, and lasting political solutions that prioritize children’s rights and wellbeing .

The time to act is now. Every donation, every advocacy effort, and every moment of awareness-raising contributes to creating a world where Gaza’s children can not only survive their current hardships but develop into healthy, educated, and happy adults who will rebuild their society. By working together to Help Gaza’s Children, we invest not only in their individual futures but in the possibility of lasting peace for the entire region.

As one Gaza parent expressed: “I want her to come out of this stronger—someone who knows her worth, loves herself, and surrounds herself with good people” . This aspiration for resilience and self-love embodies what it truly means to help Gaza’s children thrive well beyond survival, finally offering them the chance to smile again.