John, it would be impossible to look back on 2023 or plan for 2024 without considering the millions of children and families in dire need of humanitarian assistance in Gaza.

Since conflict escalated in October more than 20,000 Palestinian children have been killed or injured in their homes and in places used as shelter; including schools, hospitals, and public spaces. And those who survive the bombs and ground operations are far from safe – many will die from disease, starvation and dehydration. Children who manage to survive all that will suffer serious long-term mental health impacts, as will children who were held hostage.

Thanks to supporters like you, our teams reached more than 51,000 people, including over 25,000 children, in the first months of this conflict. 

These are just a few ways our generous supporters have made a difference in Gaza:

• Distributing supplies including food, bottled water and hygiene kits to children and families in shelters and to households in Gaza
• Helping our partners run recreational activities to support children’s physical and psychological health
• Conducting hygiene awareness sessions to help children and families stay healthy in cramped conditions
• Delivering assistive devices to support children with disabilities and injuries
• … and so much more.

Unfortunately, with no end to this crisis in sight, the need for additional support in Gaza is immense. Save the Children is urgently calling for a ceasefire, for additional humanitarian aid and personnel to be allowed into Gaza, and for all remaining hostages to be released. We’re prepared to scale up our efforts to meet the needs of children and families as soon as it’s safe to do so and continue to closely monitor the situation.

In moments of crisis like this, your support truly means the world. Not only are you helping our teams in Gaza respond to this unthinkable crisis, you’re ensuring that all our work across the region and around the world can continue. Together we’re supporting refugees, fighting hunger and poverty, increasing access to education and psychosocial support and helping children build the futures they deserve. 

Thank you for your commitment to the world’s children in 2023, 2024 and beyond.

Save the Children