![UNRWA today held the official opening ceremony of the 2022 Summer Leisure Weeks in Gaza, which will run from June 25 to July 28, 2022 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/3W0A8774.jpg?w=619&h=413&quality=85&strip=all&zoom=1&ssl=1 "3W0A8774")
UNRWA today held the official opening ceremony of the 2022 Gaza Summer Weeks, which will run from June 25 to July 28, 2022 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]
UNRWA today held the official opening ceremony of the 2022 Gaza Summer Weeks, which will run from June 25 to July 28.
The ceremony was held at UNRWA Jabalia Mixed Elementary School B, attended by UNRWA Chief of Personnel Affairs, Ben Majekodunmi, Deputy Director of UNRWA Affairs in Gaza, Jennifer Austin , senior UNRWA officials and representatives of local community organizations. , sister UN agencies and NGOs. government operating in Gaza.
According to a study conducted by UNRWA following the May 2021 Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip, the psychological consequences of exposure to war-related trauma increased, leaving around 42% of first-graders surveyed in Gaza in need of psychological support. Even after nine months, about 35% of these children suffered from trauma.
The Summer Fun Weeks are one of the Agency’s responses and interventions to help alleviate the psychological effects of the recurring cycles of conflict and harsh living conditions resulting from 15 years of blockade.
Jennifer Austin said: “Like all children around the world, refugee children in Palestine have the right to enjoy their fundamental rights to live, learn and play in a safe and nurturing environment. This is not always guaranteed in Gaza, especially over the past 15 years. years of siege and destruction due to cycles of violence”.
“For us, providing children with the necessary psychosocial support is a top priority,” she continued. “Summer Fun Weeks are a vital part of our efforts to reintroduce a sense of security and stability into children’s lives, and an outlet for fun. We are really happy to see how much fun the children are having.
More than 120,000 Palestinian refugee children, including children with disabilities, will participate in the four-week activity at 83 UNRWA sites in the Gaza Strip. Activities include gardening, recycling, sports, drawing and crafts, helping to promote social values of leadership, respect and cooperation.
The events also provide 2,750 short-term employment opportunities to Palestinian refugees registered with UNRWA through the job creation programme.
