Bethlehem (ots) – Tensions and violence in the Middle East are increasingly affecting the West Bank – with serious consequences for children and young people. This is reported by SOS Children's Villages. "Our greatest concern is the long-term psychological and emotional stress to which children and young people are exposed," says Ghada Hirzallah, head of the aid organization in the West Bank. This can lead to massive impairments, particularly for children growing up without parental care or living in difficult family situations. According to the UN, more than 200 Palestinian and three Israeli children have been killed in the West Bank since October 2023. According to SOS Children's Villages, large-scale displacement has been taking place, particularly in the north of the country, since the beginning of the year. Tens of thousands of people have been expelled from the refugee camps there in Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams. The camps were established after the Palestinian War of 1948 and the Six-Day War of 1967. Many of the affected families are left with nothing and have to reduce their meals. Children lack safe housing. "The ongoing violence, displacement, and general instability cause them constant fear and insecurity," says Hirzallah. Many of the children also have no opportunity to go to school, as the buildings are being used as shelters for refugees. Hirzallah says: "In Tulkam alone, 10 schools with 4,400 children remain closed." Other services, such as social services, are also being suspended. Hirzallah says: "In the long run, this could lead to the undoing of many years of progress in child protection and family strengthening." "The children must not lose hope!" Another challenge, he says, is that violence is increasingly perceived as normal by children and young people. Hirzallah says: "We must absolutely prevent them from becoming numb, losing hope, or becoming susceptible to ideological trends." Staff at SOS Children's Villages are making great efforts to continue to give the children a sense of security, strengthen their mental health, and stabilize them. The situation is also challenging for the children and young people cared for by SOS Children's Villages. Many are under great stress because they fear for their friends and relatives in the north of the country. In supporting vulnerable families, the aid organization also faces the challenge that maintaining regular contact with families is difficult in the current situation. SOS Children's Villages in Israel and Palestine SOS Children's Villages supports children, young people, and families on all sides of conflicts. They are committed to every child worldwide, including in Israel and Gaza, regardless of nationality, skin color, religion, or ethnicity. Especially in crisis-ridden regions, children, especially those without parental care, are acutely at risk. Thanks to its many years of experience in Israel and the Palestinian territories, SOS Children's Villages is able to continue its work even in the current situation. In Gaza, the aid organization continues to ensure the safety of the children in its care under the most difficult conditions and also provides emergency aid. After the war, reconstruction will be supported. For further information, please contact: Boris Breyer, Spokesperson for SOS Children's Villages Worldwide, Tel.: +49 160 984 723 45, Email:
[email protected], www.sos-kinderdoerfer.de. Original content from: SOS Children's Villages Worldwide, Hermann Gmeiner Fund Germany, transmitted by news aktuell. Original report: https://www.presseportal.de/pm/1658/6022907
