Conflict in Gaza and across the Middle East is exposing children to devastating psychological harm that can affect them for a lifetime. Severe emotional trauma forces children to relive the worst moments of their lives, hindering their ability to return to normal life and impacting entire communities for generations.

Action for Child Trauma International (ACTI) is dedicated to training local caregivers to help children recover from the trauma of war. After the tragic destruction of our child trauma clinic in Gaza on 7th October 2024 - set up with two UK charities - the clinic’s staff now live in fear for their lives. In response, we are rebuilding a workforce of trauma-trained counsellors among the Palestinian people, preparing them to treat children with PTSD once safety is restored.

Working with local organisations like Wings of Hope for Trauma (https://woh-for-trauma.com/) in Bethlehem, we are launching a Children’s Accelerated Trauma Technique (CATT) training programme. CATT is a cognitive behavioural therapy method that uses play and art to help children process traumatic memories in a child-centred way. Already used successfully in Africa, northern Syria, and even in Gaza, our plan is to run both online and in-person training courses in the West Bank and Cairo.

We cannot change what has happened to thousands of Palestinian children, but we can change what happens next. Please donate - even a small amount can make a significant difference.