A psychosocial support session for widows in a displacement camp in Gaza. Photo: Amjad Al Fayomi
The genocide in Gaza continues to escalate with devastating consequences. Every day, more Palestinians are killed by bombings, starvation, and disease. Families are repeatedly displaced, crowded into makeshift camps with inadequate access to food, medicine, or water.
Nearly every person in Gaza has lost a child, parent, partner, or other loved one in this genocide. Some have lost dozens, including our staff.
Despite this overwhelming suffering, our team continues to provide whatever support we can. We have delivered food, water, and other lifesaving aid to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, though this represents only a fraction of what’s needed.
Beyond providing essentials for survival, AFSC and partners are addressing another critical aspect of the crisis: the profound trauma affecting Palestinians in Gaza. The psychological effects of the past 20 months have spared no one. They will impact generations to come.
A training for facilitators who will soon be providing education and other crucial support for children in Gaza. Photo: Amjad Al Fayomi
When conditions have allowed, AFSC and partners have conducted psychosocial support workshops for Palestinians in displacement camps. Last month, we held sessions for widows and elderly women. Women, especially, have little opportunity to process their own grief and fear while caring for their families. These sessions serve as safe spaces where participants can share their burdens. They also get support and guidance from others who understand their experiences.
During last month’s workshops, we distributed 87 hygiene kits to participants. The kits contained a headscarf, toothbrush and toothpaste, underwear, hand soap, shampoo, nail clipper, hair comb, and laundry detergent. Israel’s ongoing blockade has made these items either unavailable or unaffordable for most people in Gaza. But they are vital to basic well-being and dignity, and also help prevent disease.
This month, we are also launching an educational initiative for children ages 6 to 12 who have been deprived of schooling since the genocide began. Last month, we held a two-week training course for facilitators. Soon, these facilitators will provide education and crucial psychosocial recovery support for children affected by the genocide in Gaza.
We remain grateful for all who have contributed to our efforts, making this crucial work possible.
No one should ever have to endure what Palestinians face today. As a Quaker organization, AFSC opposes all forms of violence. We believe everyone deserves safety, peace, and all that they need to thrive.
Political action is urgently needed to stop the violence in Gaza and ensure full humanitarian access for its people. Please keep up your calls and emails to Congress. Your advocacy is essential to saving lives and ending this crisis.
