Enhancing children’s safety, resilience and wellbeing in Gaza

“I’ve started to enjoy being a leader and helping others” – 13-year-old Duha

Duha*, aged 13, has been thrust into a challenging social environment by the war in Gaza.

Scarce resources, destruction of her family’s sources of income, and the prevalence of violence around her negatively affected her psychological well-being and daily behaviour.

She was left feeling isolated, and her self-confidence diminished.

She also experienced noticeable difficulties in concentration and interaction with people around her, both inside the tent where she lived with her mother in Yarmouk Camp, and during group activities.

Now, though, she is regaining her confidence and reclaiming her social space, thanks to the assistance provided by MA'AN Development Center – a Palestinian non-governmental organization – through a project that sought to enhance safety, resilience and wellbeing for conflict-affected children in Gaza.

With funding support from the OCHA-managed Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund (oPt HF), MA’AN organized workshop sessions in which Duha participated, obtaining vital psychosocial support and life skills.

Soon, she was no longer isolated and withdrawn. Her concentration during group activities and sessions improved, and her self-confidence and ability to express her opinions became enhanced.

"Before the sessions, I liked to stay by myself and didn’t talk much. I would forget things quickly and couldn’t focus,” Duha said.

Throughout the sessions, she got to understand her local community better, learned about children’s rights, about violence, including normal and abnormal reactions, and how to cope with all memories.

She was given an opportunity to share details about her life and the support she received, and got to know herself better.

The sessions also sought to enhance her communication and social interaction with other children, including forming new friendships, and to help develop her problem-solving skills.

With more developed communication skills, Duha soon noticed that she had leadership abilities that she wasn’t aware of before.

“Now, I participate and speak in front of the group, and I’ve started to enjoy being a leader and helping others," she said.

Now Duha has a better understanding of her achievements, life, and role within the local community.

“We noticed a big difference in Duha after the sessions,” said her father, Yasser*. “She started talking more, her self-confidence increased, and she no longer isolates herself like before. She also focuses better and has become more engaged at home and with her siblings.”

Story by Tamer Ayesh

*Names have been changed.

Posted February 2026.

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