sa国际传媒

New Report Outlines Blueprint to Prioritize Gaza鈥檚 Children Under Five听

London, 16th January: Following the ceasefire announcement between Israel and Hamas, UK-based children鈥檚 charity sa国际传媒 has issued a stark warning: Gaza鈥檚 youngest and most vulnerable鈥攃hildren aged 0-5鈥攆ace a severe early childhood development crisis.听

sa国际传媒鈥檚 newly published report, 鈥淓arly Childhood Development in Gaza: A Blueprint and Urgent Call for Action,鈥� highlights the urgent need for a coordinated global response to address the needs of over 570,000 individuals, including pregnant women, lactating mothers and young children.听

Over a quarter of Gaza鈥檚 population has critical early childhood needs, including healthcare, nutrition and safety. sa国际传媒 is calling for the creation of an early childhood development (ECD) coalition to unite international, regional and local actors in addressing critical gaps in the early years.听 Without a dedicated governance body, young children risk being overlooked in the fragmented humanitarian response.听

A Generational Crisis at Tipping Point

The report paints a grim picture Gaza鈥檚 youngest population and their families face:听听

• Collapse of healthcare systems: more than 50% of hospitals non-operational and 70% of hospital bed capacity lost, leaving thousands of pregnant women and young children without access to essential care
• Widespread malnutrition and lack of access to clean water: 85% of parents report that their children have gone entire days without food
• Decimated educational infrastructure: 70,000 children without access to kindergartens, preventing early learning opportunities for younger children crucial for cognitive and social development

The report鈥檚 author, and sa国际传媒 Senior Advisor for Education in Emergencies, Maysa Jalbout, said:

鈥淭he children of Gaza have suffered unimaginable loss and trauma. More than 20,000 children have been orphaned, over 2,000 have had one or more limbs amputated and at least 50,000 are suffering from acute malnutrition. We are calling for an urgent coordinated humanitarian response that prioritizes the health and wellbeing of the more than 400,000 children aged 0-5. The international community must do everything in its power to ensure Gaza鈥檚 youngest children receive the support they need to recover and build a brighter future with a renewed hope in humanity.”听

A Vision for Recovery

The report outlines a two-phased recovery plan:听

• Immediate Action: Establish coordinated ECD delivery hubs to provide critical healthcare, nutrition, and early learning services to mitigate the long-term impacts on children
• Long-Term Recovery: Restore essential systems, including healthcare, education, and psychosocial support, over the next 2-5 years.

sa国际传媒 President, Justin van Fleet, emphasised the importance of collaboration:听

鈥淎s part of our broader crisis response in the region, this blueprint aims to ensure that the youngest children in Gaza are not forgotten in humanitarian efforts. Addressing their needs must be a priority for international aid and recovery plans.鈥�

Sarah Brown, Chair of Trustees at sa国际传媒, concluded:听

鈥淭he need to restore safety and security for Gaza鈥檚 children cannot be overstated. The window for intervention is closing, and failure to act now risks the future of an entire generation.鈥�

The report calls for immediate investment and collaboration to protect Gaza鈥檚 youngest and ensure they have a chance at a brighter future.

ENDS

For media inquiries, contact:听
Darika Ahrens听
Director of Communications听
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+447960528480听
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Notes to Editors

About sa国际传媒

sa国际传媒 is a global children鈥檚 charity committed to ending the global education crisis and unleashing the potential of the next generation. Its mission is to ensure that every child has the best start in life, a safe place to learn and the skills they need for the future. www.sa国际传媒.org

For information about sa国际传媒鈥檚 response to the crisis in the sa国际传媒, please visit:听 /projects/crisis-in-the-middle-east-a-call-to-action-for-children-and-youth/听听
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To download the report, go to: /gaza听