For almost 2 years, Gaza has been experiencing a humanitarian drama that will be recorded in the dusty pages of history with great pain.
Non-stop bombardments make it increasingly difficult for innocent civilians to access basic needs such as health, food and shelter. On 27 December, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights stated that the destruction in the Gaza Strip has increased significantly, and that the attacks targeted roads, water, sewage and electricity networks, especially residential neighborhoods and hospitals. In the continuation of the statement, it was stated that the entire neighbourhoods in Rafah and the northern Gaza have been reduced to rubble, and that most of the residents of the region had to leave their homes.
Behind all these difficult living conditions, people who have lost their loved ones, relatives, spouses, children and families under bombardment suffer serious moral damage. The disappearance of livelihoods and worsening living conditions cause deep pain, shocks and traumas. For this reason, it is of great importance to protect the psychological and mental health of innocent civilians who have survived the moral devastation and are trying to hold on to life again.
Moral support is of great importance...
International Blue Crescent Foundation (IBC), which has been closely following the conflict since the beginning of the conflict and has been working with great devotion to distribute food and hygiene packages, continues its moral support to innocent civilians in cooperation with Americares. Mental Health and Psycho-Social Support (MHPSS) project aims to improve the daily lives of conflict-affected participants, strengthen their resilience and improve their post-traumatic adaptation skills, as well as increase their resilience by strengthening the availability, accessibility and quality of mental health services.
Since the first months of the project, the International Blue Crescent Foundation has been developing training materials on Psychological First Aid (PFA) together with the local partner and as a first step, organised awareness sessions in Al Nuseirat Camp, Khan Younis and Rafah.The beneficiary groups, each consisting of 18 to 20 people, included mothers and fathers with children over 8 years of age. With this activity, we touched the lives of approximately 900 people.
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The first phase of the project, implemented in cooperation with Americares, was completed recently. The project was implemented in Al Nuseirat Camp, Deir Al Balah Camp and Al Mawasi - Khan Yunis. Most of the people in these areas have been severely traumatised by the 17-year blockade and more than a year of warIn the Mental Health and Psycho-Social Support (MHPSS) project, 1,672 people benefited from group activities (entertainment and awareness activities, family interventions, psychological first aid) and 60 people received individual counselling services. 447 people participated in group counselling and 110 people received group therapy. 122 people received special mental health services and referrals were made. 49 people benefited from case management services.
Unfortunately, this project, which has benefited hundreds of people and will alleviate their suffering, has not yet reached a sufficient number of people. The deepening mental health crisis in Gaza, where the screams are drowned out by the sound of bombardment, leads to an increasing need for psychological support and medication. At the same time, economic instability and logistical difficulties constitute a major obstacle in meeting the needs.
We need the support of our dear donors more than ever to meet the basic humanitarian needs of innocent people of all ages struggling to survive in Gaza and to give them moral support.
