600,000 children have no education.
This morning on National Public Radio Morning Edition, Ricardo Pires from UNICEF described the collapse of the education system in Gaza. Here is the whole segment.
No matter your thoughts about what must be done in Gaza or how the Israeli govenment must act in defending itself against the horrendous attack by HAMAS, the children’s needs are immediate and cannot wait. Food, medical care, safety — these are priorities. But, the fact that there are no longer school buildings for education, and there is no longer a safe place to learn — not even to be sent to neighboring countries due to walls that prevent them from going anywhere — further traumatizes children. Education is their future and their solace when the world they knew is shattered. How many of us have been saved emotionally and physically through education in which we keep building skills, understanding, and resilience? Even with chaos around us, if we can keep learning with our peers, we can sustain hope.
Are we now to tolerate the loss of a future for Gaza’s children?
This morning I wrote my own government about creating educational games and stories that could be included in aide packages along with food and medical supplies. It seems so little, even an afterthought, in light of how opposition to the Israeli Army’s ongoing assault must grow among us. It may even be happening as I know that UNICEF and SAVE THE CHILDREN consider education a key part of protecting children from trauma and mental stress.
All the oxygen sucked from the American public’s attention by the presumptive candidate for MAGA Repubicans and his sorry life and character are not an excuse to turn a blind eye to what is happening in Gaza.
University and high school students who grieve lawfully on behalf of Gazans are on the right path. We all must join them in a collective call to end the war.
Contact your reps in Congress! Contact your Senators.
5 Ways Children are Impacted by the Gaza Israel Conflict
Susan Feathers 