Palestinian Children Bearing the Conflict

UNICEF correspondent Natacha Ikoli reports on the visit of UNICEF Regional Director Sigrid Kaag to the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Palestinian Children Bearing the Conflict Natasha Cohen: You're watching UNICEF Television. There are few cars in the streets in Gaza. Political deadlock and an Israeli military blockaded have cut if off from the outside world. Gaza’s in short supply. More than 80% of the population depends on food aid and many households are without regular electricity or water. UNICEF Regional Director Sigrid Kaag visited the Occupied Palestinian Territory recently and saw for herself the difficulties children face. Sigrid Kaag: The key challenges, of course, remain under the current conditions, access, protection and quality of care both at home and through the services that children need very much both in health and education. I'm very hopeful by the commitment that I see, by the parents, the community and the leadership in the country that we can continue to make progress and protect the progress that the society has always made over the years. Natasha Cohen: Miss Kaag visited healthcare clinics and other places where UNICEF and its partners are working to make sure that children’s needs are met and that they have constructive activities to occupy themselves. Osama Ghneim: Before joining the adolescent friendly learning center, I had much free time and I had nothing to do except watch television or loiter in the streets. Now, thank God, my free time is packed. I started music training, read books, English, Arabic and Math classes, computer and internet classes. Natasha Cohen: The regional director called on all parties in the conflict to make children’s rights and needs their highest priorities and she said that while more humanitarian aid was needed, it couldn’t replace the urgent need for political solutions to the crisis. This is Natasha Cohen reporting for UNICEF Television. Unite for children.