It has been more than a year since the conflict in Gaza began, and over 41,000 Palestinians have been reported killed, including 14,000 children. With residential areas under attack and medical facilities being evacuated, fleeing Gaza has become a necessity. However, with 9 out of 10 Gazans internally displaced—more than half of them children—South Gaza is overcrowded, leaving many people trapped in their homes.
In this context, the initiative led by Teacher Mahmoud Kallakh in the Al-Mawasi area offers a beacon of hope for families who have lost their breadwinners. The Al Baraka orphanage camp, which shelters over 400 families, provides food, support, educational and social services, as well as medical care. Sponsored by the United Nations through UNICEF, the initiative is a first step towards improving the living conditions of orphans, who currently number over 18,000.
Displacement and evacuations are also impacting Lebanon, where, since October 2023, around 96 healthcare centers have been closed due to the ongoing emergency, and over 77 medical workers have been killed. With more than 540,000 Lebanese in need of support and protection, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has launched a Flash Appeal, which is currently only 12% funded.
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