Baby’s first birthday: How one child is bringing hope to displaced children and families in Gaza

A life born from tragedy

One year ago, Karam’s life began with heartbreak. His mother, injured in the ongoing armed conflict, died while giving birth. With no surviving family members, Karam was brought to SOS Children’s Villages by the Ministry of Social Development.

He was only one day old.

“When he first came to me, he was so small and quiet,” says his caregiver, Basma. “I could feel his fear—he didn’t cry much, just looked around with those big eyes. I held him close and whispered, ‘You’re safe now.’”

A year later, Karam is a healthy one-year-old deeply attached to the woman who has become a mother to him. He’s grown four teeth, wobbled through his first steps and said his first word: “Mama.”

It takes a village: Raising children in emergencies

Although Karam was born into war, he’s been raised with unconditional love—from Basma and other caregivers at SOS.

“Each of his little smiles reminded me that love doesn’t need blood to grow,” Basma said. “The whole village lent a hand in raising him. Other caregivers helped me. The older children played with him. He brought us all together.”

Since the evacuation of the SOS Children’s Village in Rafah due to heavy fighting, Karam and the other 46 children in SOS’ care have been living in tents in Khan Younis. Some children were displaced from the Rafah village. Others, like Karam, were referred to SOS during the war—children whose parents died or were separated from their children during evacuations.

Children suffer the most in humanitarian crises, especially after losing the protection and care of their parents, which according to the Palestinian Central Bureaus of Statistics is a harrowing reality for many of Gaza’s children. At least 39,384 children have lost one or both parents.

Learn more about the importance of keeping families together.

But after the ceasefire collapse in March, conditions continue to worsen for children. Food, water and medical care are scarce.

“Each day is a struggle for survival,” says Reem Alreqeb, Gaza Program Director for SOS Children’s Villages Palestine. “We begin by assessing immediate needs, ensuring the children are safe, trying to secure enough food and clean water and addressing any medical or psychological emergencies that arise.”

Each child in SOS’ care receives shelter, nutrition, psychological first aid and emotional support from a dedicated team of caregivers, psychologists and social workers. SOS teams continue to work with the Ministry of Social Development to trace extended families and research safe reunification options, though the war has made this work increasingly difficult.

“Some of these children have lost all known relatives during the war,” Reem explains. “The best outcome would be for each child to find a safe and loving family where their rights are protected and their emotional and developmental needs are fully supported.”

But despite all the hardships, Basma and the SOS team work tirelessly to give the children structure, affection and hope.

"This child carries the spirit of hope" 

For the caregivers and children living in Khan Younis, Karam’s birthday party signified more than his milestone year—it celebrated hope.

“Karam’s first birthday felt like a festival,” Basma said. “We danced and sang songs just for him. This child carries the spirit of hope. It felt like we weren’t just celebrating life, but the strength of our community.”

In a place where childhood has been stolen from so many, Karam’s birthday celebration served as a beacon of hope that love can persist even in the darkest times. His story shows that growth, development and the promise of a brighter future are possible when children receive care during crisis.

And children in crisis—like those in Gaza—need us now more than ever. Your gift to the Children in Crisis Fund can deliver the urgent, life-saving aid and long-term support children like Karam need to survive humanitarian emergencies and thrive for years to come.

“These children are not just victims,” Reem said. “They are resilient, bright and full of potential. But they can’t survive on resilience alone. They need urgent support now—food, clean water, psychological care. We are doing everything we can, but without international support and attention, we risk losing an entire generation to trauma and neglect.”