Children in Gaza

A fragile pause. A fight for their futures.

When the ceasefire in Gaza was announced on 10 October 2025, there was a brief moment of relief – a fragile pause after two years of bombs, displacement and unimaginable loss. But for children who spent formative years in shelters instead of homes and for families who have lost so much, the danger and uncertainty are far from over.

Across Gaza, children wake each day in uncertain conditions, often without enough food, clean water or electricity. Families move from one temporary shelter to another in search of safety that remains out of reach. Many have been forced to move six times or more, trying to protect their children while navigating each day as best they can.

Schools, once havens of stability, laughter and growth, now lie in ruins. Nearly 92 per cent of school buildings have been destroyed or severely damaged, leaving over 650,000 children without formal education. Temporary learning spaces have replaced classrooms, and every day brings new challenges to continue their studies.

Even amid displacement and uncertainty, children in Gaza show remarkable resilience. But they shouldn’t have to. No one, especially a child, should face this level of danger or devastation. Families and communities cannot do it alone – they need support to stay safe and keep believing in a better tomorrow.

Reaching children where they need us most

Protecting children and their rights is central to our mission and drives every action we take. Even when we cannot be on the ground ourselves, we work with trusted organisations to reach children and families in the toughest circumstances, including those facing displacement, food insecurity, water shortages and damaged or destroyed homes.

One of our closest alliance partners is WeWorld, an Italian humanitarian and development organisation and member of the ChildFund Alliance. They have been operating in the West Bank since 1992 and Gaza since 1997, they understand the local context, have strong community connections and can deliver aid safely and effectively.

Since November 2023, they’ve been running a full-scale humanitarian response across Gaza, reaching over 500,000 people with life-saving support. Between September and October 2025, their work focused on Deir El Balah and Khan Younis, where many families have been displaced. A dedicated team of more than 200 staff, contracted workers and volunteers operate from two main offices and two warehouses, providing emergency relief, safe water, hygiene and sanitation, education and child protection – always putting children first.

In recent months, they’ve supplied more than a sixth of all water distributed by humanitarian organisations in Gaza. Following the ceasefire, their teams quickly reached newly accessible northern areas to deliver essential aid, including food, hygiene kits, clothing and temporary learning spaces, to families relocating from the south and central regions.

Working with trusted partners like WeWorld, we can strengthen support on the ground and extend our reach, helping communities recover after months or years of displacement.

Every act of support – whether it’s providing water, shelter or education – helps children stay safe, begin to heal and find hope, reminding them that they are not forgotten. Even in the toughest circumstances, children in Gaza continue to look toward the future.

Sustained support remains essential to prevent the crisis from worsening. And once conditions allow, we will be there, and stay there, for children and their families, laying the foundations for recovery.