Youth Initiative: 12 Volunteers Restore the Mental Well-being of Gaza's Children in Rafah's Mawasi Displacement Camps

A new safe space dedicated to providing psychological and social support for children and women has been opened in the Mawasi area of Rafah city, located west of Khan Yunis city in the southern Gaza Strip. This step comes as part of efforts to alleviate the heavy psychological burdens left by the ongoing war and forced displacement in one of the most crowded areas with displaced people.

Field sources reported that the center is located in a sensitive area close to the front lines and military operations, making its presence an urgent necessity for children and women who have suffered from harsh conditions. The center aims to provide a nurturing environment amidst the suffering of thousands of families living in tents under extremely difficult humanitarian conditions.

For her part, Aisha Shaqfa, coordinator of the 'Taif' youth initiative, explained that this work began about two years ago in Rafah city in response to the increasing psychological needs within shelters. She indicated that the core idea was to snatch moments of joy for children away from the noise of planes and the incessant sounds of shelling.

Shaqfa affirmed that the volunteer team continued its tasks with self-funded efforts even after the cessation of supporting organizations' programs, in response to the continuous calls from children for the continuation of recreational activities. This continuity reflects the volunteers' commitment to the groups most affected by the war in the absence of basic services.

Regarding the choice of the center's location, the coordinator mentioned that the Mawasi area of Rafah suffers from a severe scarcity of services despite the enormous population density caused by displacement. She emphasized the necessity for community initiatives to reach marginalized areas that are crowded with displaced people and lack the most basic elements of psychological care.

The program offered by the center includes a variety of activities, such as specialized psychological support sessions, artistic activities, and theatrical and musical performances. The team also focuses on educational games that help children express their suppressed emotions, develop their personal skills, and enhance their self-confidence.

The first program is scheduled to target children over three weeks, with nine intensive sessions organized, and plans to extend these activities based on participants' needs and responsiveness. The initiative adopts a community-based approach that draws its ideas from the reality of the residents and their direct daily needs.

The first day of the opening witnessed a large turnout of children who enthusiastically engaged in group drawing and singing activities. Signs of relief were evident on the faces of the young participants who found in this place a rare outlet that takes them out of the circle of fear and anxiety imposed by the daily war.

The child Suwar, one of the participants in the initiative, expressed her happiness at having a place that makes her feel safe and psychologically comfortable, emphasizing that these activities help them forget the horrors of war, even temporarily. Suwar sent a touching message to her parents, who are in Egypt for treatment, expressing her hope for their speedy recovery and a quick reunion.

Despite these efforts, Shaqfa believes that talking about full psychological recovery is still too early given the ongoing aggression and tragic living conditions. Nevertheless, these safe spaces remain a vital step to help women and children overcome some of the deep psychological traumas they have experienced.

It is worth noting that the team consists of 12 male and female volunteers, and is still receiving applications from young people who wish to contribute to humanitarian work. This activity comes at a time when hundreds of thousands of displaced people in the camps of Rafah and Khan Yunis face a severe shortage of services, making psychological support initiatives an urgent need for survival.

The initiative began with attempts to give children moments of joy away from the atmosphere of war and the sounds of planes and shelling.