After two years of devastating conflict, the situation for children and families in the Gaza Strip is catastrophic. Many are facing severe hardship after multiple and prolonged displacement and the widespread destruction of vital infrastructure. More than 64,000 children have been reported killed and injured. In addition, over 56,000 children have lost one or both parents and all children have experienced traumatic events.
Famine has been declared in parts of the Gaza Strip, and the entire under-five population, 320,000 children, is at risk of acute malnutrition. Essential services have collapsed, and the scale of humanitarian needs is immense; homes, hospitals and schools have been destroyed.
Ahead of the recent ceasefire announcement, UNICEF prepositioned more than 1,300 trucks ready to bring in tents, nutrition items, essential medicines and vaccines, learning and recreation kits, and water and sanitation supplies. More than 40 UNICEF trucks already entered on October 12.
With the ceasefire in effect, one of UNICEF’s key priorities is restoring safe and reliable access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), which is critical both to the famine response and to preventing further public health risks. Other priorities include nutrition, health, education, winterization, child protection, mental health and psychosocial support, and social protection.
UNICEF is committed to continuing to provide the humanitarian support children and their families depend on for survival and protection.
In 2025, UNICEF:
-Delivered 2,271 cartons of therapeutic food (treating 3,000+ children) and 1,400 packs of complementary foods for infants and young children
-Provided safe water to 1.5 million people, including 600,000 children
-Vaccinated 26,893 children with all targeted antigens
-Supported 38,689 people with cash transfers, including 20,381 children
-Distributed 16,000 packs of diapers to (NICUs), hospitals, and PHCs, with a further 20,000 planned for distribution
-Identified 40 temporary learning spaces for 36,000 children to resume education
With your support, UNICEF and partners will rapidly deliver essential supplies and services and pave a path of recovery for children and their families in the State of Palestine.
