Mitigating Risks of Slow Children Development Due to War on Gaza 2023

The 2023 War on Gaza has inflicted significant hardships on children, posing severe risks to their physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development. This paper explores multifaceted approaches to mitigate these developmental risks, emphasizing the need for comprehensive support systems for children in conflict zones. The study highlights the detrimental impact of the war, including trauma, malnutrition, disrupted education, and healthcare challenges. It advocates for trauma-informed, multilevel interventions focusing on psychological counselling, healthcare, educational support, and creating safe environments. The research identifies key areas of concern, such as the high prevalence of mental health issues like PTSD and depression, and the decline in social services and economic stability. It calls for collaboration among local governments, international organizations, NGOs, and communities to establish supportive frameworks for children’s development. The paper proposes immediate and long-term approaches, including establishing safe spaces, providing psychosocial support, ensuring continuity of education through informal means, and addressing health and nutrition challenges. These approaches are aimed at fostering resilience, providing stability, and enhancing the capacity of children to cope with the adversities of war. The paper underscores the critical role of the community ever during the highest time of the war on Gaza, or similar situations in creating a protective development environment where children can receive education, healthcare, and emotional support. The research also highlights the need for sustainable and trauma-informed support systems, stressing the significance of collective engagement to reduce harm and support caregivers. Overall, this study offers a comprehensive framework for mitigating the risks of slow children’s development due to the war on Gaza, providing valuable insights and practical recommendations for supporting children in conflict zones. The proposed approaches aim not only to address immediate needs but also to lay the groundwork for long-term recovery and resilience building among the affected Palestinian children so that they cope with Israeli atrocities.