Children are at risk
The Palestinian population is marked by its youth, with under 18’s constituting at least 2.3 million individuals, around 43% of the population, and under 15’s making up around 37%. For decades, children and young people have grown up in an environment shaped by conflict and instability, often without the support of extended families due to displacement and ongoing conflict and humanitarian challenges.
3.3 M
People need urgent support
Children at risk
Around 3.3 million people urgently need support in Palestine: 2.1M in Gaza and 1.2M in the West Bank.
In Gaza, the extensive damage to infrastructure and displacements have affected children disproportionately. In the recent conflict, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health over 17,000 Palestinian children have been killed.
Children in both Gaza and the West Bank are not able to grow up feeling safe. Many have lost the care of their families, have been displaced and can no longer attend school regularly.
660,000
Children do not go to school in Gaza
Schools destroyed
Many Palestinian children lack access to safe schooling. In Gaza, the educational system is no longer functioning as planned – schools have been destroyed, and children have been displaced.
In the West Bank children’s schooling is also affected by the ongoing conflict. According to UNICEF, at least 130,000 children cannot go to school due to the deepening crisis.
A poor educational background has a profound effect on the future of children and the communities they grow up in.
2.9 M
People need food assistance
High food prices
More than 2.9 million Palestinians need food assistance. The situation is particularly acute in Gaza, where the entire population faces acute food insecurity.
An increasing number of children and pregnant women are malnourished. According to UNICEF, 322,000 children are at risk of malnutrition.
Nutritional deficiencies have multiple effects on children’s physical and mental development. They can include an inability to concentrate in school and a weakened immune system.
Together we can make a difference for children in Palestine
28,600
People reached through
Emergency projects
Are supported in the community
220
Children and young people
Receive educational and training support
Are supported on their way to independence
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At the start of the most recent conflict, SOS Children’s Villages in Palestine supported children, young people and families in both Bethlehem and Rafah. As the conflict escalated, children in our care in Rafah were evacuated to Bethlehem. In May 2024, the village in Rafah was fully evacuated. Since then, we have been working in both Bethlehem and Khan Younis, providing care for children who are not with their families and emergency support to displaced families (photo: SOS Children’s Villages Palestine).
Working together for sustainable development
In 2015, leaders from 193 countries committed to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This 15-year plan aims to improve the lives of people by ending poverty, fighting inequality, and protecting the planet.
GOAL 1: End poverty
SOS Children’s Villages supports families and communities to keep families together and to help them break out of the cycle of poverty.
GOAL 4: Ensure quality education for all
Every child and young person SOS Children’s Villages supports has access to education, from kindergarten right up to vocational training or university.
GOAL 8: Equal job opportunities for all
SOS Children’s Villages supports young people in developing the skills and self-confidence they need to find decent work and trains parents so that they can have a stable income.
GOAL 10: Reduce inequalities
SOS Children’s Villages works to keep children safe, by promoting peaceful and inclusive communities. We provide training on children’s rights and positive parenting.
GOAL 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies
We advocate laws and practices that ensure social inclusion and protection for children and young people without parental care or from marginalized households.
Let’s keep on protecting children and young people!
Many children have been able to find a safe and secure home. With your help, we can continue to change their lives