Voices from Gaza: Charity children share their fears

As the violence in Gaza Strip continues, we hear from staff and children living in the SOS Children's Village in Rafah amid the ongoing military operation. Although safe inside the Village, many have expressed fears over the safety of their family members in the Gaza Strip.

Interview with the Village Director, Wael Abu Mustafa:

1) What is the situation in terms of supplies, specifically cooking gas which was previously unavailable in the Village?

Currently the Village has a two-week supply of basic goods (flour, oil, rice, etc…). We were able to obtain gas, essential for both cooking and heating, on the black market for exorbitant prices. Although we have a generator for the Village, we are conserving energy and only using it when necessary.

2) How is the general safety of the Village, children and staff?

Because Rafah is located in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, we are relatively safe compared to other areas. However, there have been attacks in nearby locations. We are mostly subject to fighter planes flying above us and fighter ships that shoot from nearby as we are located very close to the sea.

3) How are the employees and their families dealing with the situation?

Since the attacks began on December 27, employees have not been able to attend work as the situation does not permit them to commute safely to work. We are in regular contact with our employees and their families and so far, thank God, they are all unharmed but some have had to flee their homes and stay with relatives.

4) What is the status of other SOS Children’s Villages facilities (school, nursery, social centre)?

All SOS Children’s Village facilities remain closed for the time being.

SOS staff fear for family safety

An SOS mother from Rafah and an SOS Youth Leader from Khan Younis, responded to a number of questions on the crises, including questions about the children's experiences so far and the safety of their families.

According to Elham, an SOS Mother, "the situation has been very difficult and all the surrounding shops have closed and have no supplies. Luckily, Our Village Director was able to purchase the supplies we needed from the black market. We are thankful to him and we don’t know how he was able to secure the supplies for the whole Village. It is very hard to bring such supplies for your family let alone the entire Village. We feel very safe and protected in the Village; however, nothing can protect us from the planes flying above us, which have been scaring our children very much. The sounds of war are all around us and especially in the night. Many of the children scream when they hear the fighter planes, so we have to constantly comfort and assure them that everything will be okay. Our children are also fearful for the safety of their biological families and this is a hard issue to deal with as we can not guarantee their protection. To distract them, we have been organizing games and other fun activities for them in the Village. Thank God, so far, none of the ground troops have reached our area."

Meanwhile, Riham, an SOS Youth Leader says: "Im very scared for my family who live in Khan Younis, an area that has so far not been directly hit by attacks but is very near to areas where problems have occurred. I have been talking to them everyday to make sure they are okay. We feel very safe in the Village, but it is difficult because essential supplies are limited. I believe God is with us and our Village Director was able to secure the supplies we needed. It remains hard for us to see our families struggling to obtain supplies for themselves, but this is a reality that we must live with. Sounds of war and attacks are all around us and this is very hard for the children to deal with everyday. We pray and sit together, and tell our children to be patient during this difficult time. We have been doing our best to comfort and soothe them. We are located very close to the sea, which means that the Israeli fighter ships fire from nearby, making loud noises and shaking the earth which is traumatizing our children. I wish to express my thanks SOS Children's friends abroad for all their support in the past . In this terrible situation we need more support then ever, since there will be an increased need for SOS Children’s Village's services with the increased in traumatized children and orphans."

Children share their fears

Two youths living at the SOS Children's Village Rafah also expressed their fears and concerns.

According to Hannah, 13, who has been living in Village for three years, "this is a very difficult situation, because we can not go anywhere. We can't go to school or leave the village. Although we feel protected inside the village, nothing seems to be able to calm us. At night we awake to the sounds of war and everyone starts crying, so gather and pray, while the Village father, SOS mothers, and youth leaders try to calm us down. We have been trying our best to remain strong, so that our younger SOS siblings are not scared. We have been trying to assure them that everything will be okay, but we can not always hide our own fears. I have not been able to visit my biological family, who live in Rafah, because of the security situation, but I pray that they are and will stay safe. I thank all our supporters from my heart and assure them that God will reward them for their kindness. I am thankful that the Village is here to protect me and my sisters."

Jihad, 14, who has been living in Village for around six year, says: "I have spoken to my biological family who are in Khan Younis and they have not been harmed so far, but they are not safe and have been living in constant fear. They don't know when disaster will strike them. We are safe in the Village but we have to live under the threat of planes and nothing can protect us from them. We are safe but children outside the Village are not, and, unfortunately, we can't protect them or offer them all shelter. Father Wael (the Village Director) has gotten us all the supplies we need, but not all children are as lucky as we are. We are all children and we all deserve to be safe and have a normal life. We pray for all those in danger and all those who send us their support."

Help us continue our work in the Palestinian Territories by sponsoring a child