Children are being killed at an average rate of ten a day as the bloody conflict between Israel and Gaza continues, while countless others are being injured or witnessing the horrors of the fighting, World Vision Australia’s chief executive Tim Costello said today.
Mr Costello called for an urgent ceasefire as the international charity was once again having to deal with the tragic news that beneficiaries of its programs had lost their lives in Gaza.
“It is devastating to hear that more children in our programs have been killed or injured over the past couple of days,” Mr Costello said. “We have had confirmation that a family of six, that World Vision was helping, has been killed.”
“We are extremely concerned about the effects of the conflict on children and fervently call for an immediate end to the violence.”
The UN estimates that 170 children are amongst the 697 people who have been killed in the recent conflict outbreak. Schools and hospitals have also been attacked making it difficult to find safe zones.
At least 125,000 children are believed to be in need of psychosocial support, which World Vision is providing in homes, shelters and hospitals. Many of the children are sharing their firsthand accounts of the bloodshed. Khaled, 11, said: "I have really bad nightmares, as I saw my sister and my cousin shredded and cut into pieces.” (See more quotes below)
World Vision has been working in the Gaza strip since 2001 providing agriculture and livelihoods assistance for the poor and most vulnerable families and psychosocial support for children. World Vision has been forced to temporarily suspend operations in Gaza due to the violence but will carry out an emergency response when the security situation allows.
To donate to World Vision Australia’s Emergency Preparedness Fund call 13 32 40 or visit www.worldvision.com.au/emergencies
Tim Costello and World Vision staff on the ground are available for interview.
Please contact: Gabrielle Brophy on 0407 575 112 or gabrielle.brophy@worldvision.com.au
Note to editors
Quotes from children in Gaza receiving psychosocial support from World Vision in homes, shelters and hospitals:
"I couldn’t sleep well after my injury, but the deep breathing exercise I learned from the facilitators helped me a lot in relaxing my muscles and sleeping better during the night." - Amira, 14-year-old girl
"My mother was killed during Al Shujaiea massacres, and I felt that I couldn't live without her. But sharing my story with the other children, and even crying with the others, helped comfort me." - Asma, 11-year-old girl
“I sat with a group of children, each one of us talked about their situation and how we left our homes and moved to an UNRWA school. After that, all of us children blew balloons, and I felt that I threw all my problems inside this balloon, and after that I relaxed." - Mohammed, 7-year-old boy
"I have really bad nightmares, as I saw my sister and my cousin shredded and cut into pieces." - Khaled, 11-year-old boy
"I have severe anxiety during the night because I know that the bombs increase during this period. But the facilitators told my parents to play with us during the night and encouraged us to sing with each other. I feel more comfortable now." - Nour, 14-year-old girl
"When I came to the hospital I wasn’t able to sleep at night at all, the horrible sounds of Israeli rockets and bombings all around, I am afraid of being attacked again. A group of youth come to my room regularly in the hospital, encouraging me to be stronger and to express my feelings. Now I feel better with their support. I am very thankful!" - Abrar, 14-year-old girl
"I am drawing pictures. I am drawing what I have seen; the three missiles that struck my house and the corpses of my family; my mother, my father, and my sister. I am also playing with the toys that World Vision gave me in the hospital." - Shahed, 7-year-old girl
“Palestinian children need to live safely. I couldn't at all live safe in this area due to recurrent wars. The facilitators helped me imagine a place that I like to be in, so I imagine myself in a safe place with a beautiful garden with all of my family members around. I like to do that as it eases some of my fears during this war" - Basem, 11-year-old boy
“I can't forget the incident when my father was killed and I was injured, I am crying all the time. Some people come to visit me frequently, they listen to me, and they have a nice clown who plays with the children." - Samar, 12-year-old girl