Project Overview

The violence in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank has claimed the lives of many children and left thousands more physically and emotionally scarred.

Children live with fear on a daily basis, and are repeatedly exposed to traumatic events.

Islamic Relief established the Integrated Care Program in 2002 to help rehabilitate traumatised children physically, psychologically, and socially.

The Program also provides educational activities.

Problem / Project Background

The levels of violence experienced by children across the West Bank and Gaza Strip have escalated dramatically.
It is estimated that almost 50% of Palestinians suffer from mild or severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The trauma experienced by young children who have been shot, or who have witnessed the violent deaths of family members, or have had their homes demolished is incalculable.

Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress can include insomnia, high levels of anxiety, and agitated or confused behaviour. Repeated trauma can lead to children developing symptoms of dissociation, a type of emotional numbness, in order to deaden or block the pain.

Project Activities

The project provides a complete package of integrated care services that include psychological, mental, social and educational assistance to traumatised children.

Traumatised children will also receive support to re-integrate into their community, especially if they have become disabled.

Informal educational activities help children express themselves through artistic and theatrical activities.
There are also workshops for families on subjects such as ‘Dealing with a Traumatised Child’, ‘Rehabilitating Traumatised Children’, and ‘The Psychological State of the Traumatised Child’.

Project Objectives

• To help the families of the students and teach them how to deal with traumatised children.
• To provide the children and their families with psychosocial services.
• To provide the children and their families with essential health care services.
• To provide traumatised children with formal and informal education.

  

Project Goal

To provide professional assistance to traumatised children through an integrated programme of daily care, formal and informal education, and home visits.

Beneficiaries

One hundred traumatised children, aged 8-14 yrs, from ElNusirat Camp, Burij Camp and ELMograka area to receive the services provided by the programme each year.