Gaza's children draw their violent world

As part of any emergency response, World Vision sets up “child-friendly” spaces as soon as possible with activities that normalise the lives of children, giving them a sense of safety, structure and predictability. Activities such as drawing, drama, songs, story-telling and sports allow for the release of any stored distress.

"World Vision's psychosocial approach focusses on resilience," says Carol Toms of World Vision's Children in emergencies and crisis, "building children's capacity to respond and bounce back from the adversities of life. Some children like to express themselves in drawings, others prefer puppets or acting plays. We encourage children in our programmes to express themselves through the method they choose."

Here, drawings by three children living in Gaza go some way to show the impact violence has on children's lives.

Yasser draws 2 


Yasser*, age 13
"I do not like the occupation, tanks, or surveillance towers."

Mona draws 


Mona*, age 13
A tank fires on a group of men. Smaller figures, perhaps children, stand near a mosque. Guns fire on them. 

Mohammad draws 


Muhammad*, age 12
A vehicle fires on a crowd that carries off a man on a stretcher.

*Names have been changed.


Facts from the region_Gaza

Effects of violence

  • About 55 % of children aged 5-11 in Gaza suffer from bedwetting and nightmares
    Source: Al-Awdah Hospital Observational Study
  • Despite the ongoing violence, more than 90% of Palestinian children say they are optimistic about the future
    Source: UNFPA
  • 93% of the Palestinian children reported not feeling safe, exposed to attack and psychologically stressed
    Source: National Plan Action for Palestinian Children
  • 52% do not believe their parents can protect them from the violence
    Source: USAID
  • 93% of Palestinian children feel unsafe where they live
    Source: USAID
  • Palestinian territories are among the most dangerous places on earth for children to live.
    Source: UNICEF

Quote from Jerusalem_news

We say...

"World Vision grieves for all victims of this crisis, be they Israeli or Palestinian. We are especially concerned about how the conflict is taking a toll on innocent civilians on all sides. Children, mothers and the elderly are suffering. World Vision is working and hoping for a day when there will be an end to the violence and bloodshed."

Allyn Dhynes, Advocacy, peacebuilding and communications manager, World Vision Jerusalem-West Bank-Gaza


Gaza case study_news

Real life in Gaza

Eleven-year-old Fuad and his family fled their home abruptly on 21 July after intensive shooting started in their border village, south Gaza.

Fuad still finds it hard to hear properly since the missile exploded outside his house. He says: “My brothers, sisters and I woke up frightened and shaking, but had no time to catch our breath. We could not even take clothes with us.”

Fuad and his family had to walk in the middle of the night to the neighbouring city of Rafah. Fuad was so frightened that he did not know how long it took them to reach Rafah – to him, it seemed like an eternity. A walk that usually takes at least an hour, Fuad and his family walked under constant gunfire.