The Ministry of Social Development in Gaza revealed on Wednesday that the Israeli war of extermination on the Strip has left approximately 40,000 orphans, noting that all sponsorships the orphans had been receiving have been halted.
Ministry spokeswoman Aziza al-Kahlout told Safa News Agency that "the term 'sole survivor' - an individual who remains alive after the martyrdom of all members of his family - has recently emerged, and their number has reached approximately 700 individuals."
It pointed out that "all services for orphans, despite their limited availability, including periodic and non-periodic sponsorships, have been frozen due to the liquidity crisis in the sector resulting from the war."
She stressed that orphans have not received their sponsorships since the outbreak of the war of extermination in Gaza, nor have they received any other support services, whether in kind, psychological or social.
Al-Kahlout continued: "The number of orphans before the start of the Israeli war was estimated at 22,000, not all of whom were covered by sponsorships that would meet their basic needs."
It stressed that orphans face social, psychological, economic, and health-related harm, which could lead to mass deaths at some point if the situation continues to deteriorate.
It explained that the Ministry of Development has included orphans as independent families, allowing them to receive a variety of relief services distributed through it and its local and international partners. She noted that a number of orphans have been added to the list of those wounded or disabled as a result of the war.
It stated that the ministry, in coordination with its partners, conducted a preliminary survey of new orphans in the Gaza Strip, identified their needs, and registered them on a dedicated computerized system. She noted that special assistance has also been allocated for orphans, such as clothing, health packages, and cash assistance.
She stressed that the Ministry is currently coordinating with all relevant authorities to reorganize and restructure the orphans' file, ensuring the protection of their legal and financial rights.