Escalated Conflict Threatens the Lives of Countless Children Gaza Crisis Urgent Appeal One-Year Report
Current Situation in Gaza
One year has passed since the beginning of the Gaza conflict in October 2023 and there is no sign of a ceasefire; even worse, the clash has extended to Lebanon and Yemen, and it is expected many more lives will be in danger. Until September 2024, over 40,000 people died in Gaza, among them, over a third were children. 1.9 million were displaced and over 17,000 children were forced to separate from their families, urgent assistance is needed for their wellbeing. Under non-stop bombings, 85% of schools were damaged, even shelters and medical facilities were not spared, and many innocent civilians are living in constant fear. The war has spread to Lebanon, causing millions to be displaced and 150 children and women to perish. With the escalation of conflict, the death toll is expected to rise further.
Not only is the conflict taking innocent lives, but it is also causing long-lasting trauma to survivors. Families are forced to flee their homes, witness the death of their loved ones, and struggle without daily necessities. Many suffer from illness and drop out of school. Children and women are among the most vulnerable, being exposed to the threats of sexual violence. Plan International reiterates our stance which – firmly calls for a permanent ceasefire, halting arms transfers, and the release of all children and civilian hostages.
Plan International’s Works
With the support from our donors, Plan International Hong Kong has gathered around HK$1.9 million for the emergency appeal, and together with global donations, our Egypt office has been working with local partners to offer timely assistance to the affected population.
- Since December 2024, Plan International Egypt has sent 19 trucks loaded with life-saving materials to Gaza, providing the local civilians with hot meals, 2,400 food baskets, 1,600 cartons of bottled water, 1,575 first aid kits, 1,800 household hygiene kits, benefitting close to 100,000 people.
Plan International distributed life-saving materials to children and female dignity kits to 2,100 girls and women, safeguarding their health in difficult times.
- Group counselling is provided to children staying in refugee camps which helps them cope with fear and alleviate mental trauma.
Girls joining the counselling group expressed their feelings and thoughts through drawing.
- In recent months, we have been working with local organisations, Taawon and Natuf, and distributed a total of 14,517 hot meals to 5 refugee camps and 2 hospitals in Southern Gaza.
Staff from Plan International are preparing hot meals for distribution to the needy.
We have been partnering with the local organisation Taawon to deliver live-saving materials to children.
- Last month, Southern Lebanon witnessed its most violent day with more than 2,000 airstrikes, causing thousands of women and children to flee north for safety. We worked urgently to provide support to the displaced by distributing:
- 4,000 mattresses, 3,000 blankets and 3,500 pillows
- 24,000 liters of water and close to 2,000 food baskets with different purposes
- 670 hygiene kits and around 1,200 small household hygiene kits
Staff from Plan International provided bottled water and mattresses to the affected population.
Amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the situation of children, girls and women is deteriorating. Plan International remains committed to providing emergency aid in Gaza and Lebanon, enabling the affected population to have access to necessities such as clean food and water for survival. Additionally, we will continue to provide counselling service to help children walk out of the darkness as early as possible.
