A Sharjah-based foundation is calling on UAE residents to support thousands of orphans in Gaza with their Zakat (obligatory charity) and other charitable donations during Ramadan. Contributions starting from $167 (Dh625) will help provide education, healthcare — including psychological support —nutrition, and safe shelter to orphans till they reach the age of 18.

“The situation in Gaza is a pressing humanitarian crisis, with children bearing the heaviest burden of war. As of August 2024, approximately 45,000 children in Gaza are orphaned — a staggering figure that reflects the devastating impact of ongoing conflict. Before the war, 20,000 children had already lost one or both parents, but since October 7, 2023, that number has more than doubled, with 25,000 more children becoming orphans,” Alya Al Musaiebi, director of The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF), told Khaleej Times. “Many now fall under the heartbreaking category of ‘Injured Child with No Surviving Family’ (WCNSF) — children who, in addition to losing their parents, are suffering from severe injuries with no remaining family to care for them.”

TBHF’s ‘For Gaza’ campaign ensures that orphaned and displaced children receive immediate and long-term support. 

Alya Al Musaiebi

“The challenges facing Gaza’s orphaned children are immense and life-threatening, extending far beyond the grief of losing their families,” said Alya. “Hunger has become a daily battle, with severe food shortages leaving many children malnourished and struggling to survive. Without shelter, countless children have no safe place to sleep, forced to endure harsh conditions with little protection. Chronic illnesses and injuries remain untreated, as access to medical care is scarce, putting their lives at constant risk.”

One major impact is the psychological trauma of war. Many suffer in silence, deprived of essential mental health support. 

“Healthcare, particularly psychological support, is a cornerstone of the initiative, as many of these children have witnessed horrors no child should ever experience. Through TBHF’s strategic partnership with Tawoon Foundation, orphans will receive critical medical aid and psychological support, ensuring that their mental and emotional well-being is prioritised alongside their physical needs. The programme is designed to replace fear with hope, providing psychological care to help them process their trauma and reclaim their futures with dignity and resilience.”

The destruction of schools has disrupted the children’s education. Deprived of basic healthcare and psychological care, these children endure “unimaginable hardship, with no clear path to recovery or stability”.

Alya listed the different donation options residents have:

• $167 (Dh625) provides food, healthcare, and education for one orphan for a month.

• $2,000 (Dh7,500) sponsors an orphan for a year, giving them stability and security.

• $10,000 (Dh37,500) offers five years of continuous care.

• $20,000 (Dh75,000) secures a child’s well-being for 10 years.

Donations to the ‘For Gaza’ campaign qualify as Zakat, the official clarified. “This campaign directly supports orphans, one of the most deserving recipients of Zakat, by providing essential care, food, shelter, and education. Donating to this cause is not only an act of generosity but a religious and humanitarian duty.”

Implemented by TBHF in partnership with the Tawoon Foundation, the ‘For Gaza campaign aims to provide comprehensive and long-term care for Gaza’s orphans. “Through this collaboration, TBHF is supporting Tawoon’s Noor Gaza Orphan Care Program, launched in partnership with Bank of Palestine Group … With $7.1 million already raised, the programme has delivered essential aid to over 11,000 orphans and seeks to raise $377 million to secure sustained support for Gaza’s most vulnerable children.”

Established in 1983, Taawon is one of the largest non-profit organizations supporting Palestinian communities.

Alya explained that the term ‘Injured Children with No Surviving Family’ (WCNSF) refers to children in Gaza who have suffered severe injuries and have lost their entire families due to the war, leaving them with no caregivers or support system. “These children face not only the physical pain of their injuries but also the psychological trauma of losing their loved ones and the uncertainty of their future.”

The classification emerged in response to the unprecedented crisis in Gaza following the war that began on October 7, 2023, as the number of orphaned and injured children rose dramatically. Humanitarian organisations and aid agencies began using this term to identify children in dire need of immediate medical attention, psychological support, and long-term care.

“Efforts to address the crisis include specialised interventions through orphan care programmes, psychological rehabilitation, and emergency medical treatment, ensuring these children receive the necessary support to survive, heal, and regain a sense of security,” said Alya.