NEWS CENTRE – The Ministry of Social Development in Gaza has announced that 64,616 children have been left orphaned as a result of the war.

 

In Gaza, the humanitarian crisis is deepening due to the war that has been ongoing since October 2023. In a statement issued to mark Arab Orphans’ Day on 1 April, the Ministry of Social Development in Gaza announced that the number of orphaned children has reached 64,616. The area with the highest concentration of orphaned children is the city of Gaza. 

 

The statement noted that orphaned children are struggling not only with the loss of their families but also with displacement, housing issues, and difficulties accessing healthcare and education services. It was emphasised that shortages of food and medicine also directly threaten the children’s lives. 

 

The Ministry called for the reconstruction of care centres destroyed in the war, the provision of regular financial support to orphaned children, and an increase in in-kind aid. It was also stated that children’s assets must be protected, legal safeguards against the risk of exploitation must be strengthened, and psychosocial support programmes must be developed.

 

Over 72,289 people have lost their lives and more than 172,000 have been injured in Israel’s attacks on Gaza.