Gaza’s UNRWA Schools: A Dual Role in Crisis
In war-torn Gaza, UNRWA schools serve a heartbreaking dual purpose: by day, they are classrooms for children; by night, they become overcrowded shelters for families displaced by airstrikes and ground operations. This grim reality highlights Gaza’s deepening humanitarian crisis, where education and survival are intertwined.
Desperate Refuge: Schools Turned Shelters
Since the Israel-Hamas conflict escalated, hundreds of thousands of Gazans have fled to UNRWA schools for safety. Originally built to educate 300,000 children, these facilities now house displaced families in cramped, unsanitary conditions. Classrooms are lined with makeshift beds, corridors are packed, and playgrounds serve as open-air kitchens.
“We escaped with only our clothes,” said Fatima Al-Masri, a mother sheltering in Khan Younis. “My children try to study, but how can they focus with explosions nearby?”
Education Under Fire: Trauma and Disruption
Gaza’s children endure unimaginable psychological trauma. Many have lost loved ones, witnessed destruction, and faced repeated displacement. Despite UNRWA’s efforts, overcrowded classrooms, traumatized teachers, and constant violence disrupt learning.
“We provide psychosocial support, but the children are terrified,” said Ahmed Nasser, an UNRWA teacher. “Some days, bombing prevents classes entirely.”
Before the war, Gaza’s education system was strained by blockade and underfunding. Now, with 90% of the population displaced, schools are among the few remaining shelters—yet even these have been struck by airstrikes, raising concerns over international law violations.
Deepening Humanitarian Crisis
Conditions in shelters are dire:
- Overcrowding fuels disease outbreaks like hepatitis A and respiratory infections.
- Scarce resources: Clean water, sanitation, and food are critically low.
- Famine risk: The World Food Programme warns Gaza’s children face severe malnutrition.
UNRWA, already underfunded, struggles to meet demand. “We’re operating beyond capacity,” said Juliette Touma, UNRWA’s Communications Director.
International Response and Funding Threats
Calls for a ceasefire persist, but diplomacy has failed to stop the fighting. Meanwhile, UNRWA’s funding is at risk after Israel accused some staff of ties to Hamas’ October 7 attacks—claims UNRWA denies. Several donors have suspended contributions, threatening aid.
“Cutting support would be catastrophic,” said Omar Shakir of Human Rights Watch. “These schools are a lifeline.”
Gaza’s Children: A Lost Generation?
The war’s long-term impact on Gaza’s children is dire:
- Education gaps: Months of missed schooling.
- Trauma: Rising PTSD, depression, and hopelessness.
By day, children learn in bullet-scarred classrooms; by night, they pray for survival. Gaza’s schools symbolize the broader tragedy—where hope and despair collide.
What’s Next for Gaza’s Schools?
With no ceasefire in sight, critical questions remain:
- How long can schools function as shelters?
- How many more children will lose education—or lives?
For now, these classrooms offer fragile sanctuary. But time is running out.
(Stay updated with NextMinuteNews for further developments.)
