Children increasingly affected in war – “Terrible”

The humanitarian crisis worsens after Hamas attacks Israel and the children are hit hard.
– It is absolutely terrible. Children are killed, injured and they witness indescribable horrors, says Gabriella Rask, program manager at SOS Children’s Villages.

The organization is on site in Palestine and works both with emergency aid and more long-term. After Hamas’s attack on Israel, the government must review Swedish aid to the Palestinian territories – something Gabriella Rask questions.

– The civilian population is affected the worst. In Gaza, approximately 80 percent of the population was in need of humanitarian aid before – now it is probably EVEN worse. If we leave them without water, food and electricity – what will happen? she says in Nyhetsmorgan.

Recruited as child soldiers

According to Save the Children, children who are killed or maimed in war have increased by almost 300 percent since 2010. This increase is also noticeable at SOS Children’s Villages.

– Yes unfortunately. Wars are not only fought on the front lines anymore, but also in cities and densely populated areas and even with drones. Places that previously felt safe for children – schools and hospitals – are now used by armed groups to hide, says Gabriella Rask.

Bombing critical infrastructure affects food supplies and water, resulting in children being affected. You risk secondary diseases and starvation.

– On top of that, we see children being recruited as child soldiers and suicide bombers. It’s terrible – children who have absolutely the least to do with war are the ones who are hit the hardest, she says.

Food, water and electricity most important now

Reports of children who have disappeared come from Israel and Palestine.

– These are children who have been through the worst imaginable. They will need support and traumatic processing for a very long time. There, organizations must step in and be there and support with the psychosocial for a very long time, says Gabriella Rask.

SOS Children’s Villages also work in this emergency situation.

– What we can do now is support families and children with the most urgent and that is food, water and electricity supply. It is absolutely life-critical, she says.