In light of the continuing unprecedented aggression on the Gaza Strip, Mr. Tariq Al-Akkad, Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of the Arab Palestinian Investment Company - APIC, announced the launch of two initiatives to provide psychological first aid and urgent community intervention programs, expected to benefit about 7,000 women and children.

These programs will be implemented in cooperation with the Palestinian Counseling Center, the Society for Culture and Free Thought, and Give Palestine Foundation through a team of experts and social workers in Gaza who have comprehensive training in the field of psychological support, including dealing with cases of post-traumatic stress disorder and childhood trauma that cannot be treated.   A group of programs will be provided specifically designed to meet the acute needs of the most vulnerable groups, especially children and mothers who bear untold psychological, mental and physical pressures.

In his statement, Tarek Al-Akkad said that the psychological repercussions of this war exceed our understanding and leave profound psychological effects on thousands of families of our people, especially on children, which are difficult to overcome. He stressed the importance of urgent community programs under these circumstances, adding that providing first psychological aid is not just a necessity, but rather a duty towards our people who are enduring what can only be described as an unprecedented human tragedy. Al-Aqqad also called for all endeavors and efforts to be combined to ensure the provision of food, clean water, shelter and medicine for our people, as well as providing psychological support to our people in Gaza in light of this ongoing tragedy.

For his part, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Palestinian Guidance Center, Mr. Faiq Hamayel, thanked APIC for its pioneering role in supporting development and relief projects in Palestine. He also thanked them for their quick response to the call to support our people in Gaza, and their continued cooperation in implementing relief projects.

In turn, Ms. Raja Shaath, Director of the Give Palestine Foundation, pointed out the need to support mental health programs on an ongoing basis, and stressed the importance of providing psychological and social support to the Palestinian community through qualified and experienced social counselors.