Psychological aid needed in Gaza

More than one million people in Gaza now require psychological assistance, according to reports, following three years of military operations by the Israeli army. The situation has led to widespread trauma, with both adults and children experiencing significant mental health challenges.

Children's drawings show trauma

Children in Gaza are expressing their trauma through drawings made during psychosocial care sessions organized by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). These drawings reflect the destruction of homes, repeated displacement, and a constant sense of fear.

Mental health needs have doubled

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the number of people in Gaza needing urgent mental health support has more than doubled since the conflict began. The number has increased from around 485,000 to over one million people.

Daily life has disappeared for many

For children who lived in Gaza before the conflict, their former daily life has almost entirely disappeared. Their homes, schools, and neighborhoods have been destroyed, and nearly 90 percent of the population has been displaced over three years.

Children's understanding of home is lost

Many children now live in tents and have never known anything but displacement and air strikes. Mahmoud Al-Balbisi, a mental health advisor with MSF, noted that some children no longer understand what "home" means, as their lives have been shaped by war.

Drawings reflect war experiences

The children's drawings and games depict humanitarian aid, attacks, and the ruins of destroyed buildings. Dina, a nine-year-old who fled her home, expresses a longing for the past, while Rahaf, an eleven-year-old, lives in fear of attacks and the loss of her cousin.

Psychological support provided in Gaza

At the Zaytoun clinic of MSF in Gaza, psychologists offer children psychosocial support through music, games, stories, and drawing. These activities help children express themselves and reconnect with their humanity.

Mental health services are limited

Despite efforts by MSF, mental health services in Gaza remain limited. The Israeli army has destroyed or rendered inoperable most health facilities, leaving many without access to essential care. Franz Luef noted that children live in constant fear, with little possibility of recovery.