MHPSS Project in Palestine: Restoring Hope for a Lost Childhood
War does not only destroy cities; it shatters childhoods. In Palestine, where conflict has uprooted thousands, the scars of war are not always visible. They exist in the silence of children who have seen too much, in the restless nights of those who have lost their sense of safety, and in the anxious eyes of the young who fear what tomorrow may bring. When war takes away homes, families, and stability, it leaves behind something just as devastating—trauma.
Between July and August 2024, LIPPA, in partnership with DCIP, launched the “MHPSS Project in Palestine” to address the growing mental health crisis among children trapped in this reality. This initiative provided essential psychosocial support, education, and care to some of the most vulnerable, focusing on two critical groups: displaced children from Gaza stranded in the West Bank and at-risk children affected by escalating violence in northern Palestinian territories.
In times of war, survival is not just about food and shelter. It is about protecting a child’s mind from the lasting effects of fear, grief, and displacement.
A Lifeline for Gaza’s Displaced Children
For 82 children from Gaza, the war did not just destroy their homes—it left them stranded far from their families. These children had traveled to the West Bank for medical treatment, but as the conflict intensified and borders closed, they were unable to return. Alone in shelters or temporary housing, they faced unimaginable psychological distress.
With no certainty about when—or if—they would see their families again, these children needed more than just basic necessities. They needed reassurance, stability, and a way to process the trauma they had endured. LIPPA responded with a structured psychosocial intervention designed to ease their distress, offering debriefing sessions, emotional support, and recreational activities to provide a sense of normalcy.
Healing takes time, but small moments of joy—playing, creating, and simply being a child again—can help rebuild the emotional strength that war has stolen. These interventions were not just about helping them survive the present; they were about protecting their future.
Supporting At-Risk Children in the West Bank
Beyond Gaza’s displaced children, the conflict has left countless others vulnerable. In the northern West Bank, growing violence has pushed more children into instability, whether as victims of abuse, at risk of exploitation, or in conflict with the law. These children, many already struggling with displacement and poverty, faced additional challenges that threatened their safety and well-being.
For 28 children living in these precarious conditions, LIPPA’s intervention provided more than material aid—it was an opportunity to rebuild a sense of belonging. By offering school supplies and reintegration support, the project helped these children return to education, reducing stigma and giving them a renewed sense of purpose. Access to psychosocial support ensured that they were not left to navigate their trauma alone, helping them process their experiences in a safe and structured environment.
In war, a child’s future can be easily lost in the chaos. But with the right support, it can also be reclaimed.
Beyond Emergency Relief—A Commitment to Long-Term Healing
The wounds of war are not always visible, but they run deep. Left unaddressed, they shape a generation’s future, determining whether children grow up with fear or with hope. LIPPA’s MHPSS Project in Palestine was not just about providing temporary relief—it was about laying the groundwork for lasting resilience.
Every child deserves more than survival. They deserve to feel safe again. They deserve to dream of a future beyond war. They deserve to heal.
At LIPPA, we believe that mental health support is not optional—it is essential. And as long as children in Palestine continue to suffer, we will continue to stand with them, ensuring that war does not define their future.
