Following the resumed attacks in Gaza by the Israeli ministry, an explosion occurred just 800 meters from the SOS Children’s Villages Palestine camp in Khan Younis last week, after the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) distributed warning and evacuation orders to the west of Gaza City and Khan Younis. These had both previously been designated as humanitarian working areas.
SOS Children’s Villages is the world’s largest charity focused on supporting children and young people who don’t have, or are at risk of losing, parental care. SOS Children’s Villages Palestine has been supporting children locally since 1968.
The former residential homes of the SOS Children’s Village in Rafah were evacuated last May due to bombs that landed as close as 200 meters away from staff and children. In the face of these dangers, SOS Children’s Villages Palestine staff relocated children and staff to the city of Khan Younis and set up a tent encampment, where they are now in danger once again. The children’s original homes in Rafah have since been reduced to rubble.
Some SOS Children’s Villages staff remain trapped in northern Gaza, unable to relocate. In response to the ongoing escalation, SOS Children’s Villages, along with other international INGOs operating in Gaza, have suspended movement to reassess the security situation.
The March 18th strikes in Gaza alone resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people, including over 130 children, marking one of the highest single-day child death tolls in the past year.¹
**Alison Wallace, CEO of SOS Children’s Villages UK, said, “**It is harrowing that children are once again bearing the brunt of the suffering in Gaza, while the rest of the world looks helplessly on. These children have been through untold pain and fear, and if there isn’t a definitive ceasefire, they cannot be protected.
“Our colleagues in SOS Children’s Villages Palestine are desperately trying to keep the children we care for safe, but they themselves cannot guarantee their own safety. We also remain extremely worried about the safety of our colleagues trapped in northern Gaza. The level of violence children and families are experiencing is unconscionable – we cannot continue counting child death tolls, we need to see a full ceasefire, now.”
Interview with the Gaza programme director of SOS Children's Villages in Gaza
In this interview, the Gaza programme director of SOS Children's Villages in Gaza, talks about the current challenges in Gaza.
1. How is the humanitarian situation in Gaza? What are the biggest challenges for children and families?
“The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains extremely critical. Despite initial hopes for a reduction in violence, the recent breakdown of the ceasefire has reignited hostilities, further increasing the suffering of children and families. The ongoing violence has caused widespread displacement, destruction of homes, and severe damage to vital infrastructure. The blockade imposed on Gaza has exacerbated the crisis, limiting access to essential goods such as food, clean water, medical supplies, and healthcare services. The lack of access to basic services, combined with the ongoing scarcity of resources, has made it increasingly difficult for families to meet their fundamental needs.
“Children are particularly vulnerable, bearing the brunt of this ongoing crisis. The blockade has hindered their access to education, healthcare, and a sense of normalcy. Many children are traumatized by the constant fear of violence, displacement, and loss, while families are grappling with the emotional and physical toll of the situation. The continued disruption of education is one of the most significant challenges facing children and families in Gaza today.”
2. How is the psychological situation, especially now, as there was hope and now the attacks are starting again?
“The psychological situation is extremely challenging. There was a brief moment of hope when the violence decreased, but with the return of attacks, people’s mental well-being has been severely impacted. The sudden resurgence of violence and the constant fear of escalation have caused anxiety, depression, and trauma for many, especially children. People who had started to rebuild their lives are now facing the harsh reality of another wave of violence, leading to feelings of hopelessness, stress, and emotional exhaustion.”
3. How is the situation of the children cared for in the SOS Children’s Village encampment? How is their health, mood, and how are the conditions in the camp right now?
“The children in the SOS Children’s Village are being cared for with great attention and effort. However, the challenging circumstances in Gaza are making it harder to maintain optimal living conditions. Many children suffer from malnutrition, stress, and trauma. Their moods are deeply affected by the ongoing violence, and they are often anxious, fearful, or depressed. The conditions in the camp are difficult, with inconsistent access to food, which has become very limited due to the ongoing blockade. This scarcity adds to the emotional burden for both the children and their caregivers.”
4. What are your greatest concerns?
“My greatest concerns are primarily the safety and well-being of the children, particularly their psychological situation. The ongoing violence, lack of safety, and limited access to food, education, and healthcare are critical issues. Additionally, there is a growing fear of being forced to relocate to areas with very limited resources, which would further worsen the already dire situation. This uncertainty and the threat of displacement create more anxiety and trauma, especially for vulnerable children and families who are already facing significant challenges.”
5. What do you want to tell the world?
“I want to convey that the children and families in Gaza are facing an unimaginable crisis. They are resilient, but they cannot bear this level of violence alone. We need peace, and we need the international community to come together to ensure that children and families can live without fear, have their basic rights respected, and have a chance for a better future.”
-ENDS-
For queries or more information please contact press@sosuk.org