THE CHILDREN OF WAR PROJECT

The project will focus on facilitating basic needs and mental health services for Palestinian and Sudanese child refugees in Egypt. The conflicts in these regions has persisted for so long that many of these children were born into war, knowing only the destress and pain that accompany it.

The initiative is dedicated to funding both individual and group therapy sessions for child refugees in Egypt, recognising the transformative power of professional support.

Children exposed to armed conflict are at high risk of developing:

• Severe and Moderate Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In fact, a 2020 study showed that 53·5% of Gazan children had PTSD even before this conflict.

A 2014 study also showed that Gazan Children struggled with:

• Anxiety 37%

• Depression 55%

• Chronic stress 46%

Gazan Children were also reported to have experience;

• Suicide ideations

• Attachment disorders

• Learning and cognitive disorders

Complex trauma has a significantly different neurobiological impact on children compared to those who have not experienced such events, influencing brain development, and increased risk of social isolation.

By focusing on this vulnerable group, we seek to not just heal but to empower with resilience, offering a pathway to address the psychological wounds of conflict and ensuring that children have the support they need to recover, grow, and eventually thrive despite their challenging circumstances.

Despite research indicating that therapeutic and psychological intervention programs are highly effective in reducing symptoms; there is a low tendency among this group to seek professional mental health assistance. Mental health often isn't prioritised for refugees due to a combination of systemic, logistical, cultural, and resource-related challenges.

Understanding these complexities can help in developing more effective strategies to address the mental health needs of refugees:

• Immediate physical needs are prioritised over mental health

• Limited resources and funding for public mental health services

• Shortage of specialised mental health providers

• Cultural and linguistic barriers hinder access to care

• Stigma and misunderstanding surrounding mental health

• Legal and bureaucratic challenges limiting healthcare access

• Lack of coordinated care and continuity of support

• Insufficient data on refugee mental health needs

• Underestimation of mental health's importance in integration

*We are currently establishing a team of trained professionals in Egypt.