Thanks to the generous donations raised via the Irish Emergency Alliance, ActionAid's local partners provided crucial mental health support, safe spaces, and essential supplies to women and families in Gaza, helping them cope with the profound impacts of war.
Hadeel, is a case manager with ActionAid's partner Awda Health and Community Association in Gaza, witnessing the profound impact of war on women's mental health and well-being.
The war has forced women in Gaza to endure unprecedented challenges, psychological trauma, gender-based violence, and systemic displacement.
‘The impact [of the war] on women has primarily been gender-based violence.’
The war has resulted in a sharp rise in psychological and sexual abuse, severely affecting women's mental health. Many women now face extreme fear, anxiety, stress, and significant losses. Some have become dependent on humanitarian support to survive.
For women experiencing trauma, Awda created safe spaces offering emotional support, stress management programmes, and skills development sessions.
Despite limitations due to a widespread mental health crisis, Awda continued supporting women through emotional release sessions and psychological support groups.
'We work on [helping women] manage stress, offer mental support groups and provide emotional release sessions, to help them release the stress and anxiety resulting from their circumstances.’
For women who have lost their partners and are now the sole providers for their families, Awda also developed skills programmes in needlework and cooking, helping them generate income and rebuild their independence.
‘The type of support that women need – whether during or after the war – is providing them with a safe space to help them manage their stress in ways like emotional release and support sessions.’
Salam is a volunteer with Wefaq, a women-led non-governmental organisation in Gaza, partnering with ActionAid to support marginalised communities during unprecedented challenges.
‘Before the war, our life was beautiful... But now there is no house, no stability, no safety and no life.’
The war has forced Salam and her community to confront extreme hardship, displacement, and survival under increasingly difficult circumstances. Since 2018, Salam has been a member of ActionAid and the Wefaq Association, receiving extensive training that transformed her into a critical support system for her community.
The impact of the conflict has been devastating, with families forced to live in tents and makeshift shelters, battling harsh winter conditions. Salam and her network of youth volunteers have been instrumental in providing essential relief, distributing blankets, winter clothes, mattresses, tents, and food to displaced families.
‘I work to provide assistance to marginalized women [who have faced] abuse, children, and all members of the local civil society.’
Despite the challenges, Salam finds strength in her work. For her, community support is a two-way relationship: ‘[Through this work], we have [learned] the art of communication and [our] connection [with people has] increased. We gain experience from members of our community. [We both gain something].'
Her efforts have not only provided critical humanitarian aid but have also built stronger community connections and increased her own self-confidence.
‘In the [future], I aspire to be something bigger in society. I aspire to represent the state of Palestine, my country, abroad.’
'[This work] builds my relationships with people or individuals in the community, because I help a person who is in need. This alone gives me strength.’
