GAZA / TRAUMA

A United Nations survey estimates that the recent conflict in Gaza has left almost two thirds of families - including up to 28,000 children - in need of emotional and psychological help. UNICEF and the European Commission (ECHO) are working to help children cope with their trauma. UNICEF

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:01:50
• Production Date: 22 April 2009
• Asset Language: Original
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN'S FUND - UNICEF
• Subject Topical: OCCUPATIONS; HUMAN RIGHTS; PSYCHOLOGY; TERRITORIES OCCUPIED BY ISRAEL
• MAMS Id: U090422c

Description

STORY: GAZA / TRAUMA
TRT: 1.50
SOURCE: UNICEF
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ARABIC / NATS

DATELINE: GAZA, OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY, 24 FEBRUARY 2009

Shotlist

1. Wide shot, Sarah Hassan al Najaar walks to therapy
2. Med shot, Sarah
3. Med shot, Sarah arrives at therapy centre
4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Sarah Hassan al Najaar, 12 years old:
“Before the invasion, we had a happy life. We used to have a garden, very nice garden, me and my other brothers and sister used to play in it, our toys and our memories were in that garden. Everything in it was very nice, but after the war, this garden is gone. It disappeared with everything that used to be in it, it was replaced with destruction. Now, our life has turned into hell and is full of sadness.”
5. Med shot, group therapy session at Palestinian Centre for Democracy and Conflict Resolution
6. Med shot, Sarah stands up
7. Close up, UNICEF and ECHO sign
8. Med shot, Sarah and friends doing exercises
9. Wide shot, exercises
10. Med shot, Sarah chats with friends
11. Wide shot, children playing games outdoors
12. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Sarah Hassan al Najaar, 12 years old:
“Before I attended the sessions I was very sad and felt a burden. I was lonely. I didn’t find anyone to help. But now after they have set up this UNICEF camp, I started to attend and found that all my friends are here, my life changed and is better than before. My friends shared my grief.”
13.Wide shot, therapist handing out books
14. Med shot, children receiving books
15. Med shot, children

Storyline

The streets of Gaza are safer now than during the dark days of January.

But the shadow of the recent conflict still falls across young lives.

SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Sarah Hassan al Najaar, 12 years old:
“Before the invasion, we had a happy life, we used to have a garden, very nice garden, me and my other brothers and sister used to play in it, our toys and our memories were in that garden, everything in it was very nice, but after the war, this garden is gone. It disappeared with everything that used to be in it, it was replaced with destruction. Now, our life has turned into hell and is full of sadness.”

Sarah is receiving help from the Palestinian Centre for Democracy and Conflict Resolution which is supported by UNICEF and ECHO—the European Commission Humanitarian aid department.

ECHO has been funding UNICEF’s work in the region since 2003.

Counselling sessions and games are helping children like Sarah to cope with the turmoil in their lives.

A United Nations survey estimates that the conflict has left almost two thirds of families – including up to 28,000 children – in need of emotional and psychological help.

SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Sarah Hassan al Najaar, 12 years old:
“Before I attended the sessions I was very sad and felt a burden. I was lonely. I didn’t find anyone to help. But now after they have set up this UNICEF camp, I started to attend and found that all my friends are here, my life changed and is better than before. My friends shared my grief.”

Prior to January, Gazans had suffered for years due to blockades, poverty and lack of social services.

The recent conflict has made UNICEF and ECHO’s mission to provide children with a safe environment and a sense of security more critical than ever.