Occupied Palestinian Territory

Over half the population of the OPT are children. Poverty, conflict, violence and fear are a daily reality for many children and their families. Across the OPT, one in three families can't afford a balanced meal. One in five lives in ‘deep poverty’, unable to meet basic food, clothing and housing needs.

In Gaza the situation is worse. Even before the conflict escalated in December 2008, severe restrictions were placed on the movement of goods and people to and from Gaza. They were imposed by the Israeli government in response to the Hamas takeover in June 2007, and they have afflicted the lives of the 1.4 million Palestinians in Gaza.

The blockade and the collapse of the economy meant there wasn’t much food to buy and people didn’t have much money to buy it with (unemployment rose to close to 40%). By late 2008 over 1.1 million people in Gaza were already dependent on food aid.

Ceasefire declarations by both parties were welcomed by the international community as an end to the conflict in Gaza. Thank you so much to all those who joined our call for a lasting ceasefire and an immediate end to the conflict.

However, children have borne the brunt of the conflict. And it's only now that we'll begin to learn the full extent of the humanitarian crisis. Our staff are in Gaza. We've been delivering aid to those who need it desperately. Now we have a chance to reach more people with vital supplies. Find out more about our response. Donate now to our Gaza conflict appeal.

  • We’re responding to emergency needs in Gaza
  • We’re protecting children from violence and abuse
  • We’re advocating for children’s rights
  • We’re reducing violence in schools

Resources on our work in the OPT

Download these resources and find out more about our work with vulnerable children in the OPT:

Related news

Monday 16 February 2009 A month on from Gaza ceasefire up to 100,000 people remain homeless
At least 100,000 people, including up to 56,000 children, remain displaced with many continuing to take shelter in tents or crowding into remaining homes with other families, one month since the Gaza ceasefire was declared.
Monday 26 January 2009 Save the Children global staff begin to enter Gaza
Save the Children announced today that two of its staff with global expertise in emergency response were granted access into Gaza. Several members of other non-governmental organisations also made entry through the Erez checkpoint this morning.
Monday 19 January 2009 Hundreds more aid trucks must be allowed to cross Gaza border
We've distributed aid to 4,000 people in Gaza in the past 24 hours, since the Israeli ceasefire was called. But hundreds more trucks need to cross the border every day if people in Gaza are to get the amount of aid they need.