Providing Support in Gaza: Nutrition, Water, and Psychosocial First Aid
Published: Sep 23, 2025 Reading time: 5 minutes Share: Share an articleNearly two years of war have left the Gaza Strip in ruins. The humanitarian situation has spiralled into an unprecedented disaster, with 65,000 people killed—one third of them children—and more than 165,000 injured. Unbearable living conditions, with over 90% of housing units destroyed, are further compounded by widespread starvation, with famine officially declared in Gaza City. In addition, approximately 1.9 million people have been displaced, many of whom have endured multiple displacements.
With funds from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic and our SOS Gaza Emergency Appeal, we, through partners on the ground, are helping to mitigate the life-threatening impacts of acute malnutrition and deteriorating water, sanitation, and hygiene conditions in Gaza. We are also providing psychosocial first aid for children and their families.
The humanitarian situation is compounded by the fact that Israel has declared 88% of the Gaza Strip as “no-go” zones for civilians. Currently nearly one million people are estimated to be in Gaza City, where famine has been confirmed. These people endure daily bombardment and compromised access to means of survival after the Israeli military placed the entire city under a displacement order. Nearly one million people are now left with no options because there is no safe place in Gaza.
“The only solution to the current crisis is an immediate ceasefire, the opening of all land crossings, and the creation of conditions for the delivery of lifesaving humanitarian aid as well as commercial goods, particularly the restoration of health services. Without a ceasefire, none of this can be implemented,” says our Director of Emergency Programmes, Marek Štys.
Malnutrition Treatment
Together with our Alliance2015 partner Welthungerhilfe, the Palestinian NGO Juzoor for Health and Social Development, and with funding from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, we contribute to the support of 10 nutrition centres.
“The centres provide comprehensive assistance to malnourished people, especially children under 5 and pregnant and lactating women. People are first examined by trained healthcare professionals and nutritionists and then provided with the necessary treatment and follow-up in the form of special therapeutic food. This food is delivered into the territory through UNICEF shipments,” explains Jitka Trachtova, Humanitarian Advisor at People in Need.
Infobox: Humanitarian situation in Gaza
• As of 10 September 2025, UN OCHA has reported the killing of at least 64,656 and the injury of 163,503 Palestinians.
• Famine has been confirmed in Gaza City, furthermore famine (IPC Phase 5) thresholds are projected to be crossed in Deir al-Balah and Khan Yunis Governorates in the coming weeks. Conditions in North Gaza are estimated to be as severe—or worse—than in Gaza City; however, limited data has prevented an IPC classification.
• 18 out of 36 hospitals in Gaza Strip are functional, although only partially.
• Over 1 million children are in need of mental health and psychosocial support.
• Over 658,000 school-aged children and 87,000 tertiary students have no formal learning spaces.
• 78% of all structures are damaged or destroyed.
As part of our intervention, together with partners, we provide those diagnosed with acute anaemia or significant micronutrient deficiencies with special vitamin and nutritional supplements. In addition, healthcare workers train people in reducing the risks and progression of malnutrition as much as possible by applying correct hygiene practices, promoting breastfeeding, and preparing nutritionally adequate meals for young children despite the circumstances.
Support with water and sanitation
Our Alliance2015 partners, Welthungerhilfe and Cesvi, also ensure that all ten nutrition centres and other overcrowded sites have uninterrupted access to safe drinking water and basic hygiene facilities.
“Because water supplies have been cut off, water is regularly delivered to the centres by tanker with emergency dispensers and stored in provided tanks. Where necessary, our partners help repair existing latrines or install emergency latrines and washing facilities, install septic tanks, and provide essential sanitation supplies to prevent the spread of infections that worsen malnutrition,” says Jitka Trachtova, adding that rehabilitation efforts are currently suspended in Gaza City but continue elsewhere.
Over a six-month period, our partners aim to screen at least 7,200 vulnerable people for acute malnutrition, provide treatment and follow-up care for 1,080 acutely malnourished individuals, and supply another 1,440 with nutritional supplements. In addition, 5,000 people will receive education on preventing malnutrition, and all functioning nutrition centres will be equipped with drinking water and sanitation facilities where possible.
Due to the ongoing Israeli assault in northern Gaza, most of our assistance is channelled into two centres in Deir al-Balah and Khan Yunis, where many displaced families have gathered. This work is supported not only by Czech funding but also by contributions from the German government.
This support remains feasible as it relies on local water sources and UN pipelines for therapeutic food and supplements. Psychosocial activities also require minimal procurement. All activities are directly monitored by partner staff.
Psychosocial assistance to children and their families
Through our SOS Gaza Emergency Appeal, we continue to support War Child Alliance, who alongside local partners is providing urgent psychosocial assistance to traumatised children and their families in the areas of Deir al-Balah and Khan Yunis. When possible—in addition to household-level and community therapeutic sessions—trained staff organise structured leisure activities for children, where they can play and meet peers in a safe and stimulating environment.
“Regular activities provide children with a sense of routine and normalcy, which are essential in recovering from trauma. Support is also provided to local therapists themselves, who work under extremely stressful conditions and provide emergency assistance in the midst of crises. Through debriefings and therapeutic sessions, our partners help ensure they can sustain their vital work over the long term,” explains Jitka Trachtova.
This support is a follow-on from our previous cooperation. In total, we supported 15,803 children and family members in 2024 with psychosocial support. With the unpredictable nature of providing support in Gaza, we aim to assist at least 1,000 of the most vulnerable children and their families over the next six months.
Support to people of Gaza Strip
We began providing aid for the people of Gaza in December 2023. Since then, we have donated €225,000 to War Child Alliance from emergency funds in our People in Need Club of Friends and those raised through the SOS Gaza Emergency Appeal. This organisation provides education, protection, mental health and psychosocial support to children living in conflict situations around the world.
In April 2024, we launched the SOS Gaza Emergency Appeal. To date, the appeal has raised over €226,000 and we still fundraising. We also try to make people aware of the humanitarian situation in Gaza Strip and its consequences via statements like this one.
