Gaza –
In a small tent in Al-Baraka displacement camp in southern Gaza, seven-year-old Doaa sits next to her five-year-old brother, Anas. The two lean closely against their grandmother, Najah, on a thin mat—seeking comfort in the only family they have left.
Their parents and siblings were killed in an airstrike that struck their home in Rafah during the early days of the October 2023 war. Since then, the family has been displaced three times, eventually settling in this modest tent, which provides little protection from the heat or the cold.
"I can’t give them much," their grandmother says quietly. "But I try to make them feel they’re not alone."
Doaa and Anas are among the thousands of children in Gaza who have lost one or both parents since the beginning of the war. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, more than 39,000 children are now orphaned—17,000 of them having lost both parents. Many of these children live in temporary shelters or overcrowded conditions, facing challenges in accessing basic services, care, and education.
A Childhood Marked by Loss
Ten-year-old Jana Abu Rayala was fleeing with her family toward southern Gaza, holding her father’s hand and carrying her school bag. But along the way, a missile hit the car they were in. Her father, mother, and twin brother were all killed instantly. Jana survived.
She remained alone for two days until a displaced resident found her and took her to the hospital.
"She was injured and in shock," recalls her aunt, who now looks after her in a tent near Nuseirat. "If he hadn’t seen her, we wouldn’t have known she made it."
Today, Jana and her aunt live without a steady income, in difficult conditions, with limited access to food, healthcare, or schooling.
"She remembers her brother all the time, and she keeps asking about her mother," her aunt says. "She needs more than I can offer."
A Generation Without Shelter or Support
Stories like Doaa’s and Jana’s are all too common. Thousands of children in Gaza are now navigating life without the support of their parents. Many are coping with grief, instability, and limited access to safe housing, education, and health services. The ongoing displacement and overcrowding in shelters have further complicated efforts to provide consistent care.
A Long-Term Commitment to Gaza’s Orphans
In response to this growing need, Taawon has launched the Noor – Gaza Orphan Care Program, an initiative designed to support 20,000 children who lost their parents during the war.
The program offers a range of essential services, including food, healthcare, education, and psychosocial support, with the aim of helping these children regain a sense of stability and move forward.
"We’re not speaking about cases. We’re speaking about children who’ve lost everything," says Maha Muhaisen, Manager of the Noor Program in Gaza. "Noor is here to be a voice for those who have none. A support for those who’ve lost theirs."
Noor builds on Taawon’s long-standing experience in Gaza. The organization previously led the Mustaqbali program (launched in 2008) and Wajd (established in 2014), both of which provided sustained support for children who had lost parents due to conflict. These programs focused on education, healthcare, and psychological care to ensure that children could continue their lives with dignity and support.
Today, Noor continues that commitment—bringing together the lessons and experience of the past to respond to one of Gaza’s most urgent needs.