UNICEF Concerned About Impact of Violence
On Palestinian and Israeli Children
GENEVA, 15 November 2001 - The chief of
the UNICEF office serving the West Bank and Gaza expressed
concern today for children being killed and injured
in the prolonged conflict between Palestinians and Israelis,
emphasizing that injuries went beyond the tragic number
of casualties to encompass a much broader number of
children impacted by psychological distress and fear.
"All Palestinian children in the
West Bank and Gaza are exposed in some form to increased
psychological stress," said Pierre Poupard,
UNICEF Special Representative in the West Bank and Gaza,
speaking in Geneva. "Our assessment of available
data suggests that the lives, behaviour and attitudes
of Palestinian children have changed dramatically since
the onset of the current conflict."
Poupard said UNICEF had no data on the
psychological impact of the conflict on children in
Israel, but said that Israeli children are also very
likely to be suffering from emotional stress due to
the conflict.
Citing studies and surveys carried out
separately by academic institutions, NGOs and the Palestinian
Authority, UNICEF reported that 75 per cent of Palestinian
adults think children are experiencing greater emotional
problems and changes in behaviour compared with a year
ago. Sleep-related problems are the most common form
of psychological distress among children reporting problems.
These include nightmares, bed-wetting, insomnia, and
irregular sleeping patterns.
"Fear is also common," said
Poupard. "Fear of darkness, fear of sleeping
alone, leaving the house, strangers, loud noises and
sudden movements. Children find it difficult to concentrate.
Some are more anxious and irritable. Children are experiencing
psychosomatic symptoms, such as headaches, stomach cramps
and skin problems. And others are withdrawing from friends
and family, rebelling or becoming aggressive themselves."
Studies show that children in refugee
camps, poor children and girls between the ages of 5
and 14 are among the most vulnerable. Among very young
children (up to age 5) the most common signs of distress
are crying and clinging to parents. For children ages
6-12, aggression and rebellion are more common signs
of fear and anxiety. Older children, ages 13-18, are
more likely to suffer from risk-taking behaviour, a
sense of helplessness, frustration and withdrawal.
The increase in psychological distress
is directly linked to the current conflict, UNICEF reported.
Repeated exposure to the sound of shooting and shelling
is the major cause of psychological problems for 73%
of affected children, according to the studies. Watching
violent scenes on television plays a role in 46% of
cases. And 27% of the reported cases of distress are
linked to direct exposure to the conflict.
Poupard said that the bulk of UNICEF's emergency programme
in the West Bank and Gaza has focused on helping Palestinian
children and their families deal with the stress, fear,
and anxiety generated by a year of conflict. UNICEF
has supported the training of more than 2,000 kindergarten
teachers, 550 school counsellors, university students,
NGO workers and others in identifying and helping children
cope with social and psychological distress. It has
also supported the development of a self-help book for
parents that has been distributed to 100,000 households,
as well as the production of television spots on coping
with psychological distress.
Poupard reiterated UNICEF's call for Israeli
authorities to ensure that children under the age of
18 years of age are not targeted in the conflict.
He also reiterated UNICEF's call for the
Palestinian Authority to expand measures to discourage
those under 18 from participating in any violent action.
This includes efforts by the Ministry of Education to
keep children in school and Ministry of Social Affairs
in helping children to express themselves, understand
their situation and develop constructive ways to address
their problems.
In Geneva, Poupard called on donors and
development agencies to intensify their support in the
West Bank and Gaza so young people have more opportunities
for recreational activities, summer camps, social and
cultural events and meaningful, non-violent ways to
support their community during this difficult time.
UNICEF noted that 194 children under the
age of 18 have been killed since the conflict escalated
one year ago. This includes 166 Palestinian children,
27 Israeli children and one foreigner. According to
the Palestinian Red Crescent Society and the Israeli
human rights group B'Tselem, more than 7,000 Palestinian
and more than 50 Israeli children have been injured.
"Children are paying a heavy and
disproportionate price," Poupard said. "More
must be done to ensure that all the region's children
are protected both from the direct and indirect impacts
of this tragic conflict."
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For further information, please contact:
Pierre Poupard
Special Representative, UNICEF West Bank & Gaza Jerusalem
Tel: 972-2-583-0013 or 14
