In a picture that reduces the deep social cost of the ongoing war, a large generation of children who have lost one of the most important pillars of stability in their lives are growing in the Gaza Strip. Orphanism is no longer an isolated individual case, but rather a collective phenomenon that reflects the extent of the disintegration that afflicted the societal structure, in light of an extended war and a stifling siege that restricts the most basic necessities of life.
In this context, the Ministry of Social Development in Gaza announced today, Wednesday, that the number of orphans has risen to 64,616 children, including 55,157 who lost their parents during the last war, in a shocking indication of the deepening of the humanitarian crisis and its transformation into a long-term reality. And the ministry said, in a statement today, Wednesday, that these figures reflect the extent of the catastrophe experienced by orphaned children, in light of the continuation of the war and its repercussions, noting that their living conditions are very harsh, in light of the widespread displacement, the loss of shelter, and the disintegration of the structure. Family, along with the rapid collapse of basic services. She indicated that orphans face complex challenges, including deteriorating health care, disruption of the educational process, and lack of food and medicine, which puts their lives and health in direct danger, especially with the continuation of restrictions on the introduction of aid and the erosion of the capabilities of local institutions. The ministry stated that this statistic was prepared through the “National Orphan System”, which was developed in exceptional circumstances, and is considered one of the largest specialized databases, in an attempt to limit the size of the phenomenon and deal with it, despite the limited capabilities. She indicated that the Gaza Governorate recorded the highest percentage of orphans, with 21,125 children, equivalent to about 32.7% of the total cases. In an indication of the widening of the crisis, social development confirmed that the increase in the number of orphans intersects with other indications of the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the sector, including the high rates of poverty and unemployment, and the increase in the number of families treated by children, in addition to the widening of the social protection gap in light of the pressure. preceded by the humanitarian system.
