Despite a ceasefire being announced in October, a recent Yougov poll conducted by SOS Children’s Villages UK has revealed that the majority of the British public still do not believe that Gaza is a safe place for children. The poll, released today, also showed that 70% of people do not think the West Bank is a safe place for children.
SOS Children’s Villages UK is a charity that supports children and young people without parental care, or those at risk of losing parental care, in over 130 countries worldwide. Their work includes providing care in a family-like environment for children without other options, as well as education, fostering, and humanitarian aid.
The poll also asked about the biggest challenges facing children and young people in developing countries, with war and conflict being the top choice among the British public at 28%. This number increased to 38% among those aged over 65.
Alison Wallace, CEO of SOS Children’s Villages UK, stated, “Children in Gaza have experienced unimaginable horrors over the past two years. The focus now needs to be on creating a safe future for them to grow up in. However, despite the ceasefire announcement, this future remains out of reach. Children continue to be killed and we all continue to witness the tragedies in Gaza. It is not surprising that the British public does not believe Gaza is a safe place for children, because it is not. We must not forget these children and must continue to urge the UK government to do more to ensure lasting peace for them.”
In March 2024, SOS Children’s Villages evacuated 68 children, along with 11 caregivers and their families, from the SOS Children’s Village in Rafah, Gaza to the West Bank due to the imminent threat of a ground attack. The evacuation was seen as a temporary measure to remove them from immediate danger. Unfortunately, the SOS Children’s Village in Rafah was completely destroyed by bombardment since the evacuation.
As a result, SOS Children’s Villages had to relocate their operation to an encampment in Khan Younis, where they continue to provide support to unaccompanied and separated children, as well as local families. Despite the ceasefire announcement in October, children in Gaza have continued to be killed.
Since the beginning of the war, SOS Children’s Villages Palestine has supported over 60,000 people, including 31,192 children in Gaza. They have also worked to reunite separated and unaccompanied children with their families, successfully reuniting 115 children with their families of origin.
Reem AlReqeb, SOS Children’s Village’s Programme Director in Gaza, stated, “Many people hoped that the ceasefire would bring relief to children in Gaza, a moment to breathe and feel safe again. However, little has changed on the ground. Children are still waking up surrounded by destruction, living in tents that cannot protect them from the cold, and facing each day with uncertainty about basic necessities like clean water, warmth, or medical care. Even without constant bombardment, fear remains with them. Many children now panic at the sound of heavy rain, thunder, or lightning. The trauma has settled so deeply that even the weather can terrify them. In our encampment in Khan Younis, we see children trying to hold onto any sense of childhood, but the weight of fear and loss remains with them. They are tired, emotionally drained, and still searching for stability. A ceasefire does not make Gaza safe for children, it simply exposes the depth of their needs. These children deserve more than survival, they deserve safety, comfort, and a future where they can heal.”
Ghada Hirzallah, SOS Children’s Villages Palestine National Director, who works in the West Bank, added, “Children in the West Bank are growing up amid uncertainty, fear, and escalating restrictions. Every day, their basic rights to safety, stability, and protection are interrupted. Reaching children with the support they urgently need has become increasingly challenging for us as humanitarian actors. Despite the obstacles, our commitment to stand by them and safeguard their right to a childhood remains unwavering.”
To learn more about the work SOS Children’s Villages is doing in Gaza, visit their website at: https://www.soschildrensvillages.org.uk/where-we-help/middle-east/gaza-strip.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.