Full Breakdown
Daily Struggle for Water and Food Takes a Physical and Psychological Toll on Gaza’s Displaced Children
8/21/2026, 12:47:47 AM
Core Event
In Maghazi refugee camp and other displacement sites, children spend hours each day fetching water and queuing for food, often carrying 20-litre containers for families of six. The burden falls on children as young as ten, who abandon school and endure pain, exhaustion, and emotional distress.
Background & Context
The war that began in October 2023 destroyed most of Gaza’s water and sanitation infrastructure, with nearly 90 % of the system in ruins. An Israeli blockade restricts fuel, spare parts, and humanitarian aid, preventing generators and water pumps from operating. The United Nations estimates reconstruction costs at around $70 billion, and a ceasefire agreement reached on Oct. 10 2025 has not lifted the blockade.
Data & Statistics
- More than 73,400 Palestinians have been killed and 174,000 injured since the war began.
- 82 % of families are water-insecure; up to 70 % cannot obtain the emergency minimum of six litres per person per day (UNICEF).
- Over two million Palestinians lack reliable drinking water as wells remain out of service (Union of Municipalities).
- In Maghazi, the municipal water tanker must serve more than 5,000 families despite shortages of spare parts and oil (Mayor Mohammed Mosleh).
Physical and Psychological Impact on Children
Medical staff in central Gaza observe a surge in musculoskeletal problems among children who regularly carry water. Dr Sumaya Salah notes cases of muscle strain, hernias, and scoliosis, conditions that were rare before the war. Children such as nine-year-old Raghad have developed spinal curvature from prolonged heavy lifting, risking permanent complications without treatment. Parents report that the chores erode children’s energy, sleep, appetite, and foster emotional changes.
Official Statements & Responses
- Dr Sumaya Salah attributes the rise in pediatric musculoskeletal disorders to the “exhausting daily tasks” children perform to obtain water and food.
- UNICEF emphasizes that the water crisis threatens basic health standards, noting that the destruction of sanitation infrastructure compounds disease risk.
- Mayor Mohammed Mosleh says the shortage of spare parts and oil for generators, caused by the blockade, hampers water distribution in Maghazi and limits access to wells.
- The Union of Municipalities warned on August 18 that the lack of diesel for generators has pushed water and sewage systems toward imminent collapse, endangering public health for more than two million residents.
On-the-Ground Reports
Children such as 10-year-old Maysara Zaqout rise before sunrise to fill containers, often walking long distances under the sun. Her brother Jawad, five, waits at the tent entrance for the water truck. Twelve-year-old Yamen Saleh describes chronic shoulder and back pain from carrying water, while his six-year-old brother Aman frequently trips due to the load’s weight. Mothers like Fidaa Saleh watch their children “lying in the tent, exhausted” and note the toll on sleep and nutrition.
Verbatim Quotes
- “My family doesn’t have any water in the tent, not for drinking, cleaning dishes, or using the bathroom,” — Maysara
- “Every time I carry water to the tent, I feel tired and in pain, especially in my shoulders and back,” — Yamen
- “It breaks my heart to see my children lying in the tent, exhausted from the burden of life in displacement,” — Fidaa
Why It Matters
The chronic lack of water and food jeopardizes immediate health and threatens the long-term development of Gaza’s youth. Physical ailments can become lifelong disabilities, while psychological trauma undermines educational attainment and social stability. The situation shows how the blockade and infrastructure damage translate into daily survival challenges for the youngest residents, shaping the humanitarian outlook for the region.
