Two Community Initiatives Strengthen Child Protection and Public Health in Displacement Camps in Deir al-Balah
The Child Protection Team at the MA’AN Development Center, under the Family Centers Project in partnership with UNICEF and in collaboration with community committees, launched a series of initiatives aimed at enhancing child protection and public health inside displacement camps. The initiatives targeted Al-Hurriya Camp and Ard Al-Faleet Camp through tailored interventions that responded to urgent needs that emerged in recent weeks.
In Al-Hurriya Camp, the community committee implemented the initiative “I Am Clean, I Am Strong”, which focused on promoting personal hygiene and reducing the spread of insects and skin diseases among children, following a noticeable rise in health issues linked to overcrowding and displacement conditions. A total of 100 families (299 individuals) benefited through awareness sessions and interactive activities designed to promote healthy behaviors among children, in addition to distributing 45 clothing kits and 50 hygiene parcels to support household hygiene practices.
In Ard Al-Faleet Camp, the community committee launched the “Safe Water, Safe Child” initiative to address the risks children face when transporting water using jerry cans and handcarts—an activity that has resulted in physical injuries, psychological stress, and deprivation of education and play. The initiative targeted 380 families (around 650 beneficiaries) through direct engagement and community discussions with community committees to explore solutions that reduce these risks, including providing materials to extend water lines within the camp to lessen families’ reliance on children for water collection, as well as conducting awareness sessions for parents.
Community committees in both camps played a key role in follow-up and implementation, while the MA’AN Development Center provided supervision and logistical support. The two initiatives were met with strong engagement from families and contributed to strengthening community cooperation and responsibility, in addition to raising awareness about children’s rights and the importance of ensuring a safe and healthy environment for them.
These efforts come as part of a series of ongoing interventions led by the Child Protection Team and community committees, aimed at improving conditions for children in displacement camps and supporting community-driven responses capable of protecting children and enhancing the resilience of families amid challenging humanitarian conditions.
