2022 Humanitarian Response Plan for Gaza and West Bank
struggling with relationships, agitation, social withdrawal, anxiety, fear,
panic attacks, inability to relax and being worried. Also, about 79% of
respondents' children showed signs of distress and observable changes in
behavior. Interestingly, 87% of respondents whose children show signs of
distress were themselves showing signs of distress and changes in mood or
behavior, reflecting the strong correlation between caregivers' distress and
children's psychosocial difficulties. This is primarily due to the caregivers'
mental health issues, which hinder their ability to respond to their
dependents' needs, especially children. The study also reflected that
despite the high demand for services, only 9.4% of respondents' children
received MHPSS services due to the paucity of available services.
The need for social protection, including social assistance, intensified as
result of the May 2021 war. As much as 76 per cent of households believe
that they are at a higher risk of poverty now than before the May 2021 war,
while 23 per cent believe that the risk of becoming poor is the same as
before the war (noting that the risk continues to be high just as it was before
the war). The assessment concurs with previous studies indicating a
correlation between exposure to military attacks and risk of poverty. A total
87% of respondents in completely demolished homes reported higher risk
of poverty."
58
The overall situation in Gaza has a disproportionate impact on the mental
health of persons with disabilities, one of the most marginalized groups in
Palestinian society who not only face institutional and attitudinal barriers
accessing MHPSS services but are at greater risk of violence, stigma and
discrimination. This has led to increasing risk of poor mental health, stress,
anxiety and depression. For children with disability, families report more
security concerns and barriers.59
The situation for Palestinian girls and women is characterized by
overlapping vulnerabilities linked to threats of violence, poverty,
discriminations due to legal and sociocultural norms, and low access
services which result in harmful practices, including child marriage. Despite
there being a higher prevalence of mental health disorders for girls and
women than for boys and men, there is a higher percentage of male mental
health service users 60 - owing to the higher stigma for women around
mental health 61, who additionally often require the permission of family
members to access mental health service. 62
Physical assault or abuse and psychosocial/ emotional abuse
Following the May 2021 escalation, women unanimously reported the need
for psychosocial support for themselves and their children. Shortly after the
escalation, many mothers reported that their children have lost their ability
to speak and have experienced bedwetting, while their sleeping cycle was
heavily compromised. 63 In 2022, children still experience high rates of
mental distress, including significant risks of post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD), depression, anxiety, behavioral problems, and attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder, as well as functional impairment. Psychological
distress among children is widespread and chronic. An estimated 678,000
children are in need of mental health and psychosocial support across opt,
more than half (53%) of all children in Gaza. 6465 According Sawa May 2022
newsletter, calls related to suicide ideation have increased from January
to May 2022 by 56%. Sawa also reported an increase in MHPSS counseling
50% when compared to May 2021, indicating that the impact of the May
2021 escalation on the mental health of Palestinians still holds, where
children and youth expressing their trauma from the bombardment one
yearlater.
58
59
UN Women Multi-sectoral Needs Assessment 2022
Assessment of MHPSS interventions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, UNFPA, August 2021
60 Mental Health Unit- MoH 2020
61 Assessment of MHPSS interventions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, UNFPA, August 2021
62 Which is not easily granted due to stigmatization and fear for the reputation of women
63
64
Escalation of hostilities and unrest in the OPT, Flash Appeal, May 2021
UN Women Assessment 2022 and GBV SC Assessment, June 2021
65 Calculated according to the child protection model applied to the 2021 MSNA data, using the
common indicators and severity scales adopted at country level
66 Sawa Factsheet, May 2022
15View entire presentation