A year since the ceasefire came into effect, Gaza continues to be the most dangerous place in the world to be a child. Islamic Relief’s Orphan Sponsorship Programme is a lifeline to children in need.
According to the Who Health Organization (WHO), nearly 42,000 people in Gaza have suffered life-changing injuries because of the conflict. One in four of these is a child.
Yasmeen knows this reality all too well.
At just 10 years old, she has already experienced immense loss. Her father suffered a heart attack and died when she was just an infant. Since then, Yasmeen’s family has been living through daily explosions and displacement, having been forced to flee their family home and take shelter in a worn-out tent.
During Israel’s assault on Gaza, Yasmeen suffered a serious injury to her right eye, which led to it being permanently damaged. She has been unable to return to school – both because there are no schools or temporary education centres operating nearby, and because her injury has left her feeling overwhelmed and self-conscious.
“I wish I had died rather than look like this,” Yasmeen says.
“Every day I sit and grieve for myself and cry. I’ve become such a burden on my mother and my siblings. I used to help my mother with cleaning and organising, but I can’t anymore because of my injury.
“I tell myself it was my fate to be injured inside the tent that sheltered us.”
The psychological impact of violence
The trauma of Gaza’s children will last a lifetime.
According to the United Nations, mental harm in Gaza ‘has become intergenerational, producing a distinctive “occupied psyche” in which the freedom to play, imagine, hope, and develop an identity has been eroded.’
This can be seen in Yasmeen, as her mother, Heba, explains:
“Losing her father was hard, but seeing my daughter broken like this is even harder. Yasmeen’s injury has devastated all of us – her physical and emotional condition is deteriorating.”
Heba was also injured, leaving her unable to walk long distances. While Ahmad, one of Yasmeen’s brothers, also suffered a hand injury and can no longer carry or hold heavy items. The entire family has suffered.
“Still, I feel I was the one hit the hardest.” Yasmeen says.
“My appearance changed, my eye was damaged, and now I can’t stand seeing anyone. I even avoid sitting with my own family because my injury haunts me every moment.”
Expanded support
With so many children in Gaza in need of support, Islamic Relief has significantly expanded our Orphan Sponsorship Programme since the escalation of the conflict in October 2023.
From a pre-October 2023 number of 8,700, we now support more than 25,000 children in Gaza with vital humanitarian aid, including Yasmeen and her family.
The support has helped Yasmeen, Heba and the rest of their small family.
“I thank everyone who supported us before and after the war,” Heba says.
For 3 decades, Islamic Relief has been supporting orphaned children in Gaza through sponsorship. Our Orphan Sponsorship Programme is still one of the few remaining ways to get real support into the hands of suffering Palestinian families.
We provide a monthly stipend paid directly to the families. The money is unconditional, meaning families can use the money to buy the items they need most when they become available.
Heba uses the money to purchase food and heating materials for the family.
For Yasmeen however, there’s really only one thing her mother wants for her.
“All I ask from this world is to see my daughter living a normal life again.”
Be a lifeline for Gaza’s orphans. Please donate today.
