Case Study. Family Centres offering psychosocial support during emergencies in Gaza

The Family Centre initiative is a UNICEF programme implemented by Save the Children Sweden in partnership with NGOs and community based organizations, and funded by CIDA, ECHO and the Bank of Palestine. The Family Centres located across Gaza provide access to quality psychosocial services and serve as a meeting point for children and caregivers. The Centres offer mothers and fathers a place to talk about their experiences, and see their children develop with trained guidance. They also provide information on children’s rights and other relevant topics and support children’s development and learning. This case study presents the case of 6-year old Wael from Gaza, who grew up in an environment influenced by violence and who became aggressive himself. The counseling sessions offered at the family centres gave Wael and his family a place to talk about their experiences.