In Gaza, the situation for infants and toddlers is heartbreaking. Amid the relentless conflict, malnutrition and a severe lack of supplies are threatening the lives of the most vulnerable—children who have no say in the devastation that surrounds them. Our Palshekel team is on the ground, distributing life-saving items like milk and diapers, providing immediate relief to families in desperate need.
A mother in Gaza, whose child suffers from cerebral palsy and brain atrophy, shared her heart-wrenching plea: “My child depends on milk and diapers. I keep asking for help, and I need someone to assist me.” Her story is not unique. Many parents face this same struggle daily, unable to provide even the most basic necessities for their children. She went on to explain the hopelessness she feels: “I couldn’t take my child abroad for treatment. I don’t have the means. My child is 4 years old, and I still haven’t been able to treat him.”
The challenges facing Gaza’s children are immense and growing. According to recent data, in just one month, the rate of malnutrition among children under two years old in Northern Gaza nearly doubled—from 16% in January to 29% in February. The situation is catastrophic. At least 27 children, most of them under five years old, have already died from severe acute malnutrition and dehydration. The youngest was only days old. This humanitarian crisis continues to deepen, with children paying the highest price.
The most vulnerable are suffering the most. Hospitals, already overwhelmed, are barely functional, with some unable to operate essential life-saving equipment like incubators due to a lack of fuel. As one doctor put it, “Starvation is cruel. It is a slow and painful death. Mothers watch their child’s life vanish before their eyes.” Even those who survive will face lifelong consequences—physical, cognitive, and emotional damage that will last long after the conflict subsides.
Every diaper, every bottle of milk we deliver is a lifeline for these families. A mother recently expressed her deep gratitude: “Thank you very much for the help you have provided.” But the need is immense. Nearly half of Gaza’s population is under the age of 18, and many children are fighting for survival amid conditions that no child should ever experience.
Our team on the ground witnesses the tragedy unfolding daily, but we also see the hope our aid provides. For many parents, receiving milk and diapers is a critical moment of relief in an otherwise devastating reality. “We ask God to heal him,” a mother of a severely ill child said, her voice filled with both anguish and gratitude. These families rely on us, and in turn, we rely on you.
We invite you to be part of this urgent mission. By supporting Palshekel, you’re not just investing in a token—you’re investing in the future of Gaza’s children. Over 13,000 children have already been killed since the start of the war, a horrifying number higher than the total number of children killed in four years of conflicts worldwide combined. This statistic alone should shock us all into action.
But statistics alone don’t convey the human suffering behind them. These are children—babies and toddlers—who are losing their futures before they’ve even had a chance to live. As one mother so simply yet powerfully said, “I appeal to anyone with a heart.”
Your support can make a tangible difference. Join us in providing hope, dignity, and the chance for a future to those who need it most. Let’s ensure no child is left behind in this devastating conflict. Together, we can give them the lifeline they deserve.
