Struggles and Dreams in the Shadows of War
Stories of Palestinian Mothers and Their Children
- English
- العربية
As she walked along a dusty road, carrying her baby in one arm while her two older boys trailed behind, she started telling her story. “We’re all alone here. I’m all these children have got.” This sentiment was echoed by numerous other single mothers caring for young children, forcibly displaced from their homes in Gaza.
Thousands of Palestinians have fled to other countries including Egypt due to the ongoing war in Gaza. The majority are children, usually accompanied by a single caregiver – mostly often their mother. These families face an uncertain future. The lack of legal residency for Palestinian newcomers in Egypt has made it nearly impossible for caregivers to provide basic needs, access healthcare or ensure their children’s education.
Abeer’s Story
“I was admitted to Egypt with my children because I’m a cancer patient. My youngest, Zain, is struggling the most,” said Abeer, 56. After enduring months of unfathomable hardship in Gaza, Abeer and her children finally made it to Egypt. Tragically, her husband passed away just two weeks after their arrival in Cairo, succumbing to complications from the horrendous conditions in northern Gaza.
Her youngest son, Zain, 15, loves football. In Gaza, he practiced daily, but life in Cairo’s crowded downtown area, near the hospital where his mother is treated, felt isolating. After a few months, Zain discovered a local football club, where he is now rebuilding his life after experiencing trauma no child should endure.
UNICEF/Egypt 2024/Rehab El Dalil
Zain, once an A student, with dreams of becoming a doctor, worries about this disrupted education. “I miss learning,” he said, reflecting on his uncertain future. Zain has applied for a scholarship to enroll at Al-Azhar and is awaiting the institute’s decision, holding on to the hope of continuing his education.
Taghreed’s Story
“I have three children enrolled in an online programme, and they need to log in at the same time. How can I provide each of them a device when I can barely afford food?” said Taghreed, 46. The online educational programme, provided by the Ministry of Education in the West Bank is one of the few educational options available tof displaced Palestinian childrenin Gaza and Egypt.
Taghreed’s youngest, Amir, 10, exhibits concerning behaviour. “They don’t sleep. They just stare at their phones, watching the news and trying to reach their father,” she said. Taghreed’s husband sold all his belongings to secure their escape from Gaza, but being separated from him has deeply affected the children. Without an income, Taghreed struggles to create a space for her children to heal.
Fedaa’s Story
“We are in complete mental breakdown. I don’t even have money to furnish our rental apartment, let alone take the children on outings to release their energy and heal from their trauma,” said Fedaa, 36, mother of Jana (14), Mohamed (13), Moamen (11) and Tala (7). Her son, Mohamed, developed a condition where he loses consciousness in enclosed spaces. “When we first arrived in Cairo, we rode a bus, and Mohamed suddenly fell on the ground. People helped lift him onto the pavement until he woke up,” she recalled. The family used the last of their savings for Mohamed’s medical check ups. “Back in Gaza, I used to build houses using cardboard. I love to create things.” said Mohamed (13). Despite these hardships, Fedaa prioritizes her children’s education. Jana and Mohamed have enrolled in an English language course while they wait to resume formal schooling.
UNICEF/Egypt 2024/Rehab El Dalil
Om Omar’s Story
Om Omar, 47, fled Gaza with her two children, Amal (12) and Omar (15), after enduring six months of Israeli aggression. After spending several months with relatives in Ismailia, she moved to Cairo, hoping for better educational opportunities and the chance to find work as a social worker. Despite her determination, the family continues to face financial and educational uncertainties in Cairo.
UNICEF and Partners Support
Stranded in Egypt with no clear future, many Palestinian children risk missing their potential. Education, a cornerstone of resilience and brighter future, remains a distant dream for these children, who have been cut off from opportunities due to the ongoing Israeli blockade of Gaza.
UNICEF is working closely with the Government of Egypt to address the urgent needs of Palestinian children and their families in the country. With support from development partners such as the European Union, the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, the German Federal Foreign Office, and the Government of Croatia, UNICEF is supporting the medically evacuated and displaced Palestinians with access to essential health and nutrition services, education cash grants, psychosocial support, integrated social care, and safe water, sanitation, and hygiene services.
