By Shirabe Yamada | Executive Director, Sunbula
Dear Friends,
We have sent the third portion of our emergency aid to the Atfaluna Society on March 27.
Atfaluna's main office building in Gaza City has been destroyed in the military offensives. Despite the immense challenges, Atfaluna has been operating nonstop out of their satellite offices in Deir Al-Balah (middle area) and Rafah (south), and providing humanitarian responses such as distribution of food aid and clothing, and operating a communal kitchen.
Atfaluna will use our emergency aid this time for the psychosocial sessions to the most vulnerable among the displaced: persons with disabilities and children. Under the ongoing bombings and humanitarian crisis, they often face an increased risk due to limited mobility, difficulties in accessing safe spaces, and a higher likelihood of injury.
The emergency sessions will be provided to 1000 children and adults with and without disabilities. The sessions will be structured and follow the inclusive emergency psychosocial guidelines, and the participants will learn about coping strategies and resilience-building techniques to better manage stress, anxiety, and emotional challenges. These sessions aim to improve mental health and emotional well-being of children and adults, and create supportive environment where they can share their experiences and provide emotional support to each other. The beneficiaries will be assessed and identified by Atfaluna's case managers from the existing beneficiaries as well as external beneficiaries referred to Atfaluna from local partners and referral system.
Atfaluna will also distribute to the children psychosocial service kits, which will include items like coloring books, paints, clays, games, and balls. The kit will help children cope with the emotional distress, provide a sense that their basic needs are being met despite the difficult situation, and address their emotional needs early on in order to help prevent long-term trauma and promote resilience.
Our other partner, Sulafa Embroidery Centre, has also lost their building in the bombings, and their staff and artisans are displaced after losing their homes. The Sulafa staff have asked us to send the donations once the situation allows them to reach their beneficiaries.
Our campaign target has been quadrupled since its launch in October, with donations from more than 800 people from around the world. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making possible the critical work in Gaza.
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By Shirabe Yamada | Executive Director, Sunbula
By Shirabe Yamada | Executive Director, Sunbula
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