UN relief chief: One million Gaza children urgently need mental health support

Hind Al Soulia - Riyadh - UNITED NATIONS — At least one million children in Gaza require immediate mental health and psycho-social support due to depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts, the UN relief chief said. Speaking at a Security Council session on the plight of Gaza’s children, Tom Fletcher highlighted the devastating impact of the conflict, calling the recent ceasefire a "vital reprieve" from relentless hostilities. "The ceasefire has provided a crucial pause, but the challenges remain enormous," Fletcher said, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the truce and ensuring safe, unobstructed humanitarian access to the region. Fletcher detailed the grave toll of the conflict, noting that children have been killed, starved, maimed, and separated from their families. He cited conservative estimates that over 17,000 children in Gaza are without their families. Additionally, he reported that an estimated 150,000 pregnant women and new mothers in Gaza are in dire need of health services, with some babies dying during childbirth due to the lack of medical care amid relentless attacks. "Across Gaza, children are grappling with depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. They urgently need mental health and psycho-social support," Fletcher said, citing data from UNICEF. Fletcher called on the international community to act, stressing the need to deliver "surging high volumes of aid" into Gaza. He outlined the UN's 2025 Flash Appeal, which seeks $4.07 billion to address the needs of 3 million people in Gaza and the West Bank, with the majority of the funding allocated to Gaza. "Funding this appeal is essential to meet massive needs and sustain the ceasefire," he urged. Fletcher also highlighted increasing violence and restrictions in the West Bank, including Israeli settler attacks on Palestinian villages, displacement, and mass detentions. He described the dire situation in Jenin, where Israeli military operations involving airstrikes and helicopter gunfire have caused casualties, infrastructure destruction, and further displacement. He concluded by urging the Security Council to ensure respect for international law across the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including Gaza and the West Bank. "Civilians must be protected, and their essential needs met," Fletcher emphasized. — Agencies