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In the context of an unprecedented humanitarian emergency and the deepening crisis in the Gaza Strip, Ayuda en Acción highlights an overlooked consequence of the conflict: the severe emotional deterioration endured by refugee children and young people. The organisation reports that more than 1.2 million minors urgently need psychological support to begin alleviating the trauma suffered over the past two years.
Combined with famine, this situation is already producing severe consequences that will profoundly shape the future of Gazan society. More than 17,000 children and adolescents have been separated from their families, and nearly 658,000 still lack regular access to education as a direct result of conflict and forced displacement.
To address this neglected reality, Ayuda en Acción has signed a collaboration agreement to join the integrated project Light Among the Rubble, a psychosocial care initiative in partnership with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The initiative seeks to guarantee dignified, safe, and professional emotional care for displaced and orphaned children and adolescents. Around 15 mental health support groups have already been established, involving families and specialised professionals. These groups strengthen the response capacity of Gazan communities and help consolidate mental health care as a sustainable, integrated resource rooted in their society.
“Our work in Gaza is a response to the serious humanitarian emergency in the area, focusing on urgent needs of children. At Ayuda en Acción, solidarity and commitment to safeguarding children’s basic rights, such as education and health, are central to our identity. Addressing the psychosocial needs of refugee children is also a priority that must be at the core of any humanitarian response. Through this agreement, which aims to reinforce community-based networks, we seek to offer emotional support to help them confront and overcome the consequences of this devastating humanitarian crisis,” explains Rafael Dezcallar, President of Ayuda en Acción.
Raquel Martí, Executive Director of UNRWA Spain, emphasises: “Children in Gaza face continuous exposure to highly traumatic situations, which has had a serious impact on their emotional and psychological condition. Since October 2023, more than 730,000 people —including over 520,000 children— have received psychosocial support through UNRWA services. Collaboration with Ayuda en Acción significantly strengthens this work, allowing us to expand the reach of our interventions and reinforce support for children who need specialised and sustained care over time.”
Supportive networks urgently need to address emotional trauma among children in Gaza
Through this initiative, Ayuda en Acción is providing funding in response to UNRWA’s Emergency Call for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which prioritises emergency education and psychosocial support amidst the widespread destruction of essential services. This builds on the organisation’s extensive international experience in protecting the rights of children and young people in humanitarian crisis contexts.
A central pillar of the project is the training of approximately 300 UNRWA professionals in psychological first aid for trauma and emotional support in crisis situations. This training will enable teachers, counselors, social workers, and other key professionals to incorporate psychosocial tools into their daily work with affected children in Gaza.
The intervention began with a detailed assessment of existing mental health services in refugee camps, establishing 15 safe spaces as environments for emotional protection and education. A technical team has been set up to lead group interventions, support families, and activate referral mechanisms for high-risk cases. At the same time, fifteen community-based mental health groups have been formed, made up of parents, teachers, therapists, and youth leaders, who will serve as emotional support networks and multipliers of good practice.
The project also includes an empowerment plan for 3,000 caregivers, aimed at strengthening their ability to recognise signs of trauma and improve communication with children, thereby creating more stable care environments. In addition, 3,000 young people are being trained as agents of resilience and community leadership, facilitating therapeutic activities that will benefit over 30,000 minors. The safe spaces will host age-appropriate psycho-educational activities addressing stress management, grief, and violence prevention, as well as initiatives to encourage healthy emotional expression.
