MoSD: Over 64,000 Orphans in Gaza as We Continue Strengthening Protection and Care Programs on Arab Orphan Day
Statement Issued by the Ministry of Social Development on Arab Orphan Day (April 3)
Ramallah – On the occasion of Arab Orphan Day, observed on April 3, the Ministry of Social Development affirms that the issue of orphans in Palestine represents an urgent national and humanitarian priority, especially in light of the exceptional and complex circumstances our people are enduring, particularly in the Gaza Strip.
Available data indicate an unprecedented rise in the number of orphaned children, particularly in Gaza, where their number has exceeded 64,616 orphans, including more than 55,000 children who have lost one or both parents during the past period. This comes amid extremely harsh humanitarian conditions, accompanied by displacement, loss of shelter, deterioration of essential services, and disruption of education and healthcare.
The Ministry notes that orphans in Palestine, whether in the West Bank or the Gaza Strip, face compounded challenges that go beyond the loss of a breadwinner. These include the risks of poverty, school dropout, limited access to services, as well as profound psychological impacts resulting from loss and repeated trauma.
In this context, the Ministry of Social Development affirms that it continues to implement comprehensive orphan care programs, including the provision of regular cash assistance, strengthening sponsorship programs, and delivering protection and social care services, in addition to psychosocial interventions. These efforts contribute to supporting children, helping them cope with their circumstances, and ensuring a dignified life.
The Ministry also works to protect the rights of orphans, including safeguarding their property and preventing any form of exploitation or neglect, in coordination with local and international partners, within the framework of the national social protection system.
The Ministry stresses that the massive loss witnessed in the Palestinian territories during the past period, which has left tens of thousands of affected families and hundreds of thousands of injured individuals, increases the responsibility toward children who have lost their parents and calls for intensified efforts to ensure their protection and provide their basic needs.
The Ministry renews its commitment to continuing the development of its policies and programs in a manner that strengthens the protection of orphans and reinforces their resilience, stemming from its national and humanitarian responsibility toward this most vulnerable group.