The devastating impact of the ongoing conflict in Gaza has left nearly 1.2 million children in the territory facing unimaginable challenges. According to UNICEF, eight out of 10 schools in Gaza are damaged or destroyed, creating a significant barrier to education for these vulnerable children. However, it is not just the physical destruction of schools that is cause for concern; experts are increasingly worried about the psychological damage inflicted on the young population of Gaza.
Child psychiatrist Audrey McMahon of Doctors Without Borders highlighted the critical importance of providing a safe space for children to learn. She emphasized that the majority of children in Gaza are currently experiencing trauma, which can have long-lasting effects on their cognitive development. Younger children are at risk of lifelong cognitive disabilities due to malnutrition, while teenagers are likely to grapple with feelings of anger and injustice.
David Skinner of Save The Children echoed these concerns, emphasizing that the impact on children in Gaza is often overlooked in media coverage of the conflict. He stressed that these children have experienced profound loss and suffering, with many facing bereavement, illness, and malnutrition. The mental health and cognitive development of young children, whose brains are still developing, are particularly at risk.
The UN estimates that 620,000 children in Gaza are currently out of school, further exacerbating the education crisis in the region. Skinner emphasized that the immediate focus should be on getting these children back into classrooms and rebuilding damaged schools. However, he noted that the true challenge lies in addressing the trauma and displacement experienced by young Gazans so that they can begin to heal and learn again.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has taken a heavy toll on the education system, with at least 53 school buildings destroyed and more than 80% of schools damaged. The situation is unprecedented, according to Juliette Touma of UNRWA, with a significant number of schools directly hit during the conflict. The impact on children like Majd Halawa, whose dreams of becoming a lawyer were shattered when his school was destroyed, is immeasurable.
Makeshift schools have been set up in tents to accommodate displaced children, but the lack of resources and infrastructure poses a significant challenge to providing quality education. In other conflict-affected regions like Iraq, thousands of children remain out of school years after the end of hostilities, underscoring the long-term consequences of conflict on education.
For children like Majd, who was fortunate enough to escape to Canada with his family, the scars of war will never fully heal. The memories of loss and destruction will linger for years to come, highlighting the urgent need for support and resources to help young people in conflict zones rebuild their lives.
As the international community grapples with the ongoing crisis in Gaza, it is essential to prioritize the needs of children who have borne the brunt of the conflict. Providing access to quality education, mental health support, and opportunities for healing and recovery is crucial to ensuring a brighter future for the next generation of Gazans. Only through concerted efforts and sustained investment in education and child welfare can we begin to address the deep-rooted impact of conflict on young lives.