261 Palestinians were killed and over 2,210 Palestinians were injured during the escalation of violence last May 2021. Thirteen people in Israel were also killed in this conflict phase.
HI’s response to the May escalation
HI provided informal education services and psychosocial support through inclusive recreational summer activities to vulnerable children. The organization also enhanced their safety with Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE). The project implemented Inclusive summer activities, which targeted 1,860 boys and girls, including 700 children with disabilities in the 5 governorates of the Gaza Strip.
The summer activities include sport activities, expressive and creative art activities, cultural and life-skills activities and adolescent-led initiatives.
"I hope to spend more time in the summer activities and listen to more exciting stories, which I loved so much. When I was participating in the music activities, I grabbed the microphone and pretended to be singing! Sound came out at that time, and I hoped my voice would reach my mum; I missed her.”
Lamar Zyara, 12 years old, with a hearing disability, who participated to a recreational activity.
Outputs
In cooperation with the emergency committee, consisting of 19 local organizations, HI also distributed 586 infection prevention and protection kits (mass, alcoholic gel, etc.) and 677 NFI kits (including first aid and hygiene kits) for displaced families. Five services providers were supported by HI and with protective equipment. 1085 assistive devices (crutches, wheelchair, etc.) and diapers packets were provided to people with injuries.
The impact of violence
Many people injured may develop long-term disabilities requiring rehabilitation. There are still about 8,250 individuals displaced, primarily those whose houses were destroyed or too damaged to be inhabitable.
The current humanitarian situation
Six months after the escalation of hostilities, humanitarian needs remain and reconstruction efforts are stalled. The violence has further deteriorated the already poor humanitarian conditions faced by the Palestinians: barriers to accessing basic services, increasing poverty and unemployment rates. For example, 1.3 million people, including 611,000 children, have experienced additional challenges in accessing basic services, such as water and healthcare, as a result of the conflict escalation in May.
During the escalation, 331 school facilities were damaged. Since then, most construction materials have been prohibited from entering Gaza impeding the reconstruction of schools that can be very long.
