The first anniversary of the Gaza war reminds us of the human cost of war – In the midst of conflict, YMCAs continue their long-standing work for young people
7.10.2024
Martiina Woodson
On the first anniversary of the war, conditions for life in Gaza are dim. In addition to Gaza, the protracted conflict has also escalated dramatically in the West Bank. As the conflict spreads beyond the Palestinian territories to the wider Middle East, the need for an immediate ceasefire is more urgent than ever.
Gaza YMCA, which started operating in 1952, has been unable to restart
The premises of the Gaza YMCA were destroyed in Israeli attacks on 17 December 2023, and people who had taken shelter in the YMCA were trapped in the building for days as it and the surrounding neighbourhoods were bombed. Eight people were killed and several wounded in the attack on the YMCA’s premises.
Work with children and youth at the Gaza YMCA remains suspended, as it has been very difficult to restart activities. Gaza YMCA staff and volunteers have fled to different parts of the Gaza Strip.
The escalation of tensions between Israel and Palestine has been witnessed on several occasions during the more than 75 years of the organisation’s existence. But now the situation is exceptionally grim. According to data published by the UN satellite centre UNOSAT, 66% of Gaza’s infrastructure has been destroyed or severely damaged and almost 70% of the area’s arable land has been damaged. Nearly 42 000 Gazans have been killed and 1.9 million displaced. A large number of people have been displaced several times as Israeli attacks have continued.
”Life in the tent villages is extremely harsh and difficult, as conditions are very inhumane. The tents they receive are often not able to withstand weather conditions such as extreme heat in the summer and heavy rains in the winter,” sums up Hani Farah, Secretary General of the Gaza YMCA, the daily life in the theatre of war and continues ”Children suffer a lot. Many children have lost their parents, sibling,s and numerous family members.”
The Gaza YMCA, with nine employees and 2,200 members, used to organise a wide range of sporting and cultural activities and provide social programmes. The conditions under which the organisation operates in Gaza are currently very difficult. However, YMCA workers have tried to help people who have fled to churches by finding them food and clean water.
”This is very challenging as there is a shortage of clean water, medical supplies, meat, and vegetables. If they are available at all, their prices are very high,” adds Farah.
In the West Bank, the YMCA has been able to keep its programmes for young people running
The war in Gaza has also made life in the West Bank harder than perhaps ever before. Over the past year, Israel has stepped up its military operations in the region. Tensions, unrest, and violence have intensified and the number of roadblocks has increased.
Conditions have undermined vital services and caused both an economic and health crisis in the West Bank. The number of people in need of assistance has increased enormously. The East Jerusalem YMCA, The YMCA in the West Bank, has continued its work and is working to maintain hope amid a bleak situation. The YMCA has adapted its activities so that it can continue to reach out to young people in need. The organisation has updated its risk assessments and changed its working methods. Group meetings requiring young people to move around have been reduced and YMCA staff have sought safer routes for field visits. Young people living in the most critical areas have been supported through online meetings. The EJ YMCA’s Rehabilitation Programme reaches 800–1000 beneficiaries per year and is widely implemented in different areas of the West Bank. YMCA Finland’s project supports the work of the programme.
The EJ YMCA’s peace training for young people has continued and during the summer four groups were successfully set up and have been meeting in small groups in different parts of the city. The Youth Community Initiative in Hebron, which was not completed due to the outbreak of war in 2023, was also successfully implemented. The initiative raised awareness among local communities about the rights of children and young people in detention, such as the right to protection during detention and the right to rehabilitation services.
The YMCA works closely with local and national stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health and village communities. It has also contributed to the maintenance of the UN Protection Cluster, a network of humanitarian aid organisations promoting human rights expertise and reporting on human rights violations, and coordinated its psychosocial support activities in Jenin, Tulkram, Nablus and Bethlehem. During the air and ground assault on refugee camps in the regions between August and September, the EJ YMCA was able to support families remotely by providing psychosocial support and directing them to humanitarian assistance, including food and medical aid.
War is also a mental health crisis
According to a World Bank study, even before the latest war, more than 50% of people living in the West Bank suffered from depression. As the war escalated in the region, children and young people, in particular, are suffering from post-traumatic stress, depressive symptoms, and panic attacks.
”War-related trauma affects all aspects of children’s and young people’s development, including emotional, psychological, cognitive and social growth. It affects their self-confidence, relationships and general well-being. Unfortunately, if left untreated, the repercussions can last for generations,” summarises Mona Zaghrout, Head of Counceling and Supervision Department at the EJ YMCA.
A particular challenge is the persistence of mental health problems. The problem is characterised by the fact that people do not suffer from a traumatic disorder as a result of a single experience, but from a long-lasting and chronic condition. According to a Columbia University study, Palestinians have been repeatedly exposed to violence and suffer from the constant stress of personal loss and poverty.
Our partner The East Jerusalem YMCA has been supporting young people since 1948. The EJ YMCA’s Rehabilitation Programme was launched after the first Palestinian uprising, the Intifada. The EJ YMCA’s Rehabilitation Programme provides comprehensive support to young people who have experienced political violence and those living with congenital disabilities, especially young women with disabilities. The psychosocial support it provides has played a crucial role in mitigating the effects of the war on the daily lives of those involved.
Contact us
Liisa Perkkiö
International Programme Specialist, YMCA Finland
liisa.perkkio@ymca.fi
YMCA Finland. We build peace and a better future together with young people and our YMCA partners in Finland and around the world. Our member associations in 30 localities carry out a wide range of work with children and young people.
We work in Development Cooperation with local YMCA partners in Africa and the Middle East. Since 2023, we have been supporting humanitarian work in Ukraine.
Founded in 1844, the non-profit, non-partisan YMCA movement is one of the largest youth organisations in the world. We reach 65 million people in over 120 countries
