Supporting Displaced Communities in Israel

Hamas’ large-scale attack on Israel in October 2023 resulted in more than 1,200 deaths, 240+ hostages, and the displacement of at least 248,000 people. IsraAID leveraged our global emergency expertise to coordinate immediate, urgent aid delivery ‘at home’, together with national and regional government agencies, NGOs, and grassroots community initiatives. Four months into the conflict, we are directly supporting affected communities and ‘helping the helpers,’ expanding, adapting, and pivoting as the context transitions from an emergent crisis to one of protracted displacement.

Supporting Displaced Communities

At least 248,000 people from 67+ communities have been formally evacuated to temporary accommodations across the country. They face grief for lives lost, distress for missing loved ones, the insecurity of continued rocket fire, and uncertainty over the duration of their displacement.

IsraAID-trained specialists and partners are running Child and Parent Spaces where children can “just be kids.” While they play, facilitators provide targeted guidance to caregivers, who must support children while processing their own displacement and grief. We share ways to talk about conflict, handle challenging behaviors, and promote healthy coping mechanisms among families. Our art therapy spaces, guided by qualified art therapists, also offer a safe environment to explore challenging emotions and experiences through creative expression. As communities begin to move from evacuation centers to interim solutions, we remain responsive to the ongoing psychosocial challenges they face.

“As part of the daily process, the children share their pain with us . They also start to play again, and they are happy, like children should be.” - Dr. Blau, Educational Psychologist, Dead Sea

Supporting Underserved Communities

Heightened conflict poses significant risk to vulnerable communities in Israel, including Bedouin communities living near the Gaza border and asylum-seeking communities. Both populations face existing vulnerabilities including limited government assistance and language barriers; asylum seekers must cope with the trauma of living through conflict while already displaced. IsraAID has partnered with local NGOs with decades of expertise working in these communities. We are providing operational support, delivering training for staff, and translating our psychosocial support resources into relevant languages to enable partners to rapidly expand their reach.

As part of our initial response, IsraAID distributed essential nonperishables for the most vulnerable asylum-seeking families, such as single-parent households. This was vital as many asylum seekers work informally in the hospitality industry, which was severely affected by the rapid escalation in the conflict. We also provided resilience kits containing activity books, toys, and games to relieve stress among parents and children.

In unrecognized Bedouin communities in Southern Israel, which lack shelters, IsraAID has installed more than 42 protective spaces. This is accompanied by culturally appropriate psychosocial support activities tailored to the communities’ needs and designed to help community members cope during this stressful period.

Next Steps

Four months into the crisis, 218,000 Israelis remain internally displaced. They are transitioning to interim frameworks and accommodations, and IsraAID is accompanying them with flexible, tailored programs that focus on the varied support needs of each community. We will continue to pivot and adapt to ensure constant support for affected communities for as long as we are needed. Thank you for your support!