We are Resilient, we will Persist!

Emergency Aid- Children in Crisis

It is important to establish the fact that Children in Crisis activities and the work of the two IBBY libraries in Gaza has never stopped even though no funding has been received from IBBY International for two years. The Foundation of the Katherine Paterson Family has generously funded the libraries for these years, in addition to IBBY national sections’ contribution after two major appeals. IBBY Palestine has persisted successfully depending on some savings, donations, Book aid books donations and lots of voluntary work. On the contrary it has progressed and gathered a rich experience in this field; it became an essential reality for the children and the local community.

From the very beginning of the Israeli government’s war on Gaza, we decided as the custodians of the Children in Crisis in Gaza to continue our work and our commitment to this noble project and to its community. What was needed, in addition to safety, is mere basic survival needs, the case till this day and even more badly needed. We raised funds from family and friends to support our librarians, their families and a few of the community of experts, writers, illustrators, drama teachers and handcrafts trainers who implemented workshops in the libraries. Of course, we kept the salaries -of the two librarians ongoing, added to it twice emergency support, while others had only the emergency support. This money was dearly needed to buy basic life needs from the very expensive local market which is barely available. Till this day the librarians and majority of families are displaced moving several times, little is received from local organizations working in relief with the suffocating Israeli government embargo. Providing, at times, food, water, sanitary kits and other basic needs; a tent or something similar was almost miraculous!

With our limited means we were able to assist 15 persons from our libraries’ community for a one-time of $ 500. We wish this could persist or be wider as it is extremely needed. With the ongoing salary of the two librarians for one year the expenses were around $ 15,000. We welcome any support through IBBY’s Children in Crisis Fund to be allocated for this current vision.

For the present, we do not want to have a public call for fundraising before the ceasefire and there is a wider scale of work on the ground. However, we welcome any donations now as it helps the emergency support and it will be available as soon as the war on Gaza stops.

Our vision for the near future

We are committed to standing with the librarians in Gaza for ethical and humanitarian reasons. In addition, there are vital reasons their presence and expertise is needed for resuming their activities with the children as soon as there is a ceasefire. Children are in urgent need of stress release, psycho- social and bibliotherapy activities, whether in a tent, a school or open air, awaiting the rebuilding of Gaza. Moreover, the library community is important to partly compensate for the loss of family members and friends, children need to feel they belong. The library was for the children their safe haven, their second home. We hope it will partially heal their deep wounds and traumas. Most importantly, not forgetting that we need to document the loss of the children who were members of the libraries, to keep their memory among their families and friends; in addition, to assist children with amputated limbs and other unhealed wounds.

Abla, the librarian of Beit Hanoun’s destroyed library, was displaced with her family at least seven times, had to endure the last two month of pregnancy, an unsafe delivery and care for a new born baby. She was able to implement limited activities with the children in her displaced area, most of the time with no proper tent or shelter. Unfortunately, Mahmoud the other librarian is stuck in Istanbul where he accompanied his brother, being treated for cancer, a few days before October 7th.

On the other hand, there are many psycho-social, non-formal creative activities implemented by the Tamer Institute as their historic mandate, as well as some other Palestinian NGOs; though hindered by the ongoing war, there is no safe place for the displaced. Activities are implemented by local paid facilitators either in available large tents or local schools; although, several schools have been targeted and bombed causing the immediate deaths of many children.

Solidarity with IBBY Palestine

IBBY Palestine is proud of all the expressions of solidarity that has been given; it keeps us going morally and financially. The main solidarity comes from the USBBY as our twinning partner through their Children in Crisis fundraising efforts. We have had many letters of solidarity from IBBY sections and a $1000 donation from our friend, past IBBY President Mingzhou Zhang. Recently, IBBY Pakistan /Alif Leila organized beautiful children’s activities of illustrations; creative activities from the Palestinian heritage all aimed at solidarity and fundraising

Our very best regards,
Jehan Helou IBBY Palestine

IBBY has remained committed to finance and support Children in Crisis libraries in Gaza, mainly from the Foundation of Katherine Paterson and IBBY Sections. 
 
Because children’s libraries, along with books and other resources, have been destroyed by the devastation of the war on Palestine, the current need is to support the two librarians who continue to work with the children. $15,000 is needed per year.
 
IBBY Palestine is committed to stand with these librarians for ethical and humanitarian reasons. Their presence and expertise are needed for resuming their activities with the children as soon as possible. Children are in urgent need of a speedy stress release atmosphere, in need of psycho-social and bibliotherapy activities, whether in a tent, a school or open air, awaiting the rebuilding of Gaza. Moreover, the library community is important for the children to partly compensate for the loss of family members and friends, children need to feel they belong. The library was for the children their safe-haven, their second home. We hope it will partially help to heal their deep wounds and traumas.
 
Solidarity nourishes hope! The USBBY twinning partnership of solidarity and hope with IBBY Palestine kindles hope! Contributions for Children in Crisis in Palestine are greatly needed and appreciated!