Adel
Gaza – January 31 2025

Supporting children in conflict: Safe homes and hope in crisis  

When the conflict in Gaza began in October 2023, Adel’s* life changed forever.  

Instead of spending his mornings joyfully getting ready for a day at school with friends, he was now forced to wake up at dawn to stand in line for fresh water—thirsty and anxiously hoping supplies didn’t run out before his turn.  

After standing for hours in the heat and lugging water back to his home, Adel would collapse into bed. Exhausted, he slept for hours. But, instead of dreaming about soccer games with his friends, he was plagued with nightmares of falling bombs. 

Then, the unthinkable happened. Adel was separated from his father and two younger brothers in the conflict. 

But, thanks to generous partners like you, Adel was welcomed into an encampment in SOS Children’s Villages and now lives with the protection and support of a caregiver. 

For all children like Adel who have been separated from their families, SOS staff works relentlessly to find and coordinate a joyful reunion with their loved ones. But until his family can be located, Adel enjoys a protected space to heal and recover. 

“Now, I get up early, have my breakfast and play with friends,” Adel said. “Later, I have dinner, then sleep in peace.” 

His caregiver praises Adel as a brave and intelligent child. But she says the trauma of war left its mark on him. He mourns the separation from his family and still fears that one day the fighting will reach him again. 

“What Adel doesn’t say is that he misses his family very much,” she said. “It’s heartbreaking that many children in Gaza face separation and other kinds of harm due to the continuous war.” 

Even in these tumultuous times, children like Adel continue to have hope—because of compassionate people like you. 

Thanks to supporters like you, SOS Children’s Villages continues to protect and care for children in Gaza, providing life-saving resources and working tirelessly to reunite them with their families. 

But there are children living in war zones without the resources, protection and care they need. 

Your compassionate gift to the Children in Crisis Fund sends hope and help—like a safe home, loving caregiver, nutritious food, continuing education and so much more—to a suffering child. 

This month as we celebrate the power and joy of love in our lives, will you share that same, life-changing love with a child in need and give to the Children in Crisis Fund today? 

Together, we can ensure every child grows up safe, loved and with the resources they need to thrive—no matter the state of the world around them. 

*Child’s name changed to protect privacy.  

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