A Haven of Hope

Imagine waking up to the sound of chaos and destruction. Imagine being forced to flee your home and leave everything behind—your toys, your school, your friends, and your family. Everything you’ve ever known is in shambles, and suddenly, you’re on the move, carrying only what fits in a small bag and clutching the hand of a caregiver.

For many Palestinian children who’ve crossed into Egypt for medical treatment, this is their reality. They arrive with just one familiar face, often leaving their families behind with no clear reunion plan. In an unfamiliar hospital in North Sinai, they find themselves scared, disoriented, and surrounded by strangers.

Amidst this gloomy scenario, UNICEF’s child-friendly spaces, established as part of a rapid response to the Gaza crisis, offer a much-needed sanctuary for these young ones. With support from the European Union, UNICEF has set up these spaces within North Sinai and nearby governate hospitals to provide safe and welcoming areas for vulnerable children and their caregivers. Here, children are given a chance to simply be children again—a chance to smile, play, and feel safe, even if only for a little while.

One of these spaces is at Sheikh Zuwaid Hospital, where, for a few precious hours, children can forget about their pain and trauma. Instead, they’re greeted with bright colors, toys, and the kind faces of trained professionals who know just what these children need. The staff, trained by UNICEF in collaboration with the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC) and the Ministry of Social Solidarity, provides immediate psychosocial support and tailored care. Many of the children need more than just a distraction; they need someone to help them process the trauma and fear they’ve experienced, and these spaces deliver just that.

With activities like speech and art therapy, these child-friendly spaces allow children to express emotions they may not have the words for. There’s also counseling available for caregivers—many of whom are single parents navigating this journey on their own, facing immense challenges in supporting their children's recovery while coping with their own trauma.

For children in Sheikh Zuwaid and across North Sinai, these spaces have become a safe haven—a place to rediscover laughter, build friendships with other displaced and local Egyptian children, and find solace. Many of these children come to rely on the familiar faces of the staff who offer them comfort and compassion, slowly helping them to reclaim the hope they have lost during the conflict. To date, over 3,000 children, including 1,187 from Gaza, have found a touch of stability in these spaces. Each child’s visit is more than just playtime; it’s a small step toward healing and a building block for resilience.

UNICEF’s child-friendly spaces is part of a larger UNICEF’s response to the Gaza crisis, providing essential services to over 100,000 vulnerable children, their caregivers, and medical evacuation patients in Egypt. Supported by development partners including the European Union, this support will also enhance essential services including health, nutrition, protection, education, and water, sanitation and hygiene, and resilience for host communities in the Governorate of North Sinai and nearby areas.