What we support in Palestine...

 Children cumulative suffer since 2016

Children born in Tulkarem since 2016 have been going through a cumulative series of traumatic events:

• Repeated military incursions into the governorate (2016–2020).
  
• COVID-19 lockdowns and prolonged home confinement (2020–2022).
  
• Since the October 2023 war, widespread destruction of the city, mass displacement, and ongoing military operations (2023–present).
  

These consecutive crises have denied this generation any period of stability or normal childhood development. 

 Living Conditions: Confinement and Isolation

• Children rarely leave their homes due to the military's continuous presence, curfews, and ongoing hostilities.
  
• Schools remain largely non-operational, with attendance limited to once a week if lucky.
  
• No public parks, playgrounds, or recreational facilities are accessible.
  
• The sole form of entertainment and engagement for most children is digital devices (phones and tablets).
  

Developmental and Psychological Impact

• A significant proportion of children exhibit symptoms consistent with autism spectrum disorders, including social withdrawal, repetitive behaviours, and communication deficits.
  
• High rates of mutism and speech delay are reported, with some children aged 6–7 years presenting with near-total loss of speech.
  
• Comprehension and cognitive difficulties are widespread.

Family Conditions: Despair and Inability to Provide Basic Needs

• Parents struggle to secure necessities, including food, milk, and medicine.
  
• Medications for both physical and mental health conditions are unaffordable or unavailable.
• The cost of living has tripled, leaving families unable to afford necessities. FURTHERMORE, the dollar now trades at 2.8 shekels, further eroding the value of any financial support families receive.
  

Absence of Specialised Mental Health Services

• No specialised centres are offering mental health support for trauma-related disorders.
  
• No child psychologists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, or psychiatrists are available.

WHAT DO WE DO AT LOGICA? 

Despite these overwhelming challenges, our local coordinators work intensively with four groups in Tulkarem to address the most urgent needs of these children and their families. We provide: 

Basic Necessities: 

We provide milk, water, bread, clothes, blankets, disinfectants, and small amounts of cash to help families (children focus) survive.

Specialised Workshops for Children and Mothers (using expression book)

We conduct regular therapeutic workshops designed to address the specific developmental and psychological needs of children affected by prolonged trauma:

• Art, sport and theater sessions: Children are given structured opportunities to express themselves through drawing, painting, and drama theater, 2 groups of children attend activities that take place five days a week. 
  
• Speech and communication exercises: Targeted activities to help children regain lost speech and develop alternative communication methods.
  
• Mothers' training programmes: Mothers are equipped with psychological first aid techniques and basic therapeutic tools to continue supporting their children at home, as they are the only consistent caregivers available. Meeting mothers once a month. 
  
• Safe space creation: Each workshop provides a rare, secure environment where children can interact with peers, rebuild social skills, and experience a sense of normalcy. Some cases we go to the children. 
  
• Current capacity: We are currently able to reach approximately 120 children per month, but demand far exceeds our capacity.

Building Local Mental Health Capacity

Recognising the complete absence of specialised mental health services in Tulkarem, we have taken proactive steps to address this gap through advanced training May-August 2026 :

• We provide intensive training to a group of mental health supporters from Tulkarem, Jenin and Gaza (19 participants).
• We equippe them with new therapeutic techniques specifically designed for children affected by prolonged conflict and trauma.
  
• The training focuses on evidence-based interventions for trauma-related disorders, speech and communication deficits, and autism-like symptoms emerging among children.
• The training focuses on enhancing the participants on self care as adults supporting weaker groups in times of crisis. 

Story-Writing Competition (Ages 9–13)

July, 2026, We have launched a structured creative competition to stimulate cognitive development and provide psychological rehabilitation through literacy:

• 30 Participants are engaged in workshop training to enhance their skills. 
• Participants are required to write original stories and submit illustrations.
  
• Objectives: Reintegrate children into cognitive activities, stimulate intellectual development, restore a sense of achievement and self-worth, and provide a therapeutic outlet for processing trauma through narrative.
  
• Psychological benefit: Creative writing and illustration have been proven to reduce anxiety, improve emotional regulation, and rebuild cognitive function in traumatised children.
• Impact: Children who have participated show measurable improvements in communication, confidence, and emotional expression.

In August, we will distribute 20 prizes to participating children. These prizes are not merely symbolic; they are humanitarian aid that includes small cash (60- 80 USD) to cover essential food supplies, necessary medications, and stationery to help them continue their learning journey.

It is important to recognise that we are making a tangible difference in the lives of many children and families.

Our path is not easy, and we cannot walk it alone.

Greetings from Palestine