Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai donates $150,000 for Gaza children

Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai has donated $150,000 to organisations providing support children in Gaza, a gesture that comes on the heels of Israel’s brutal airstrike campaign.

Yousafzai, a Pakistani female rights activist who survived an assassination attempt at the hands of a Pakistani Taliban gunman in 2012, said that "like many others around the world, I am devastated by the brutality and inhumanity against Palestinian children."

"They deserve to live in peace, to feel safe in their homes, to be educated and to pursue their dreams – just like any other child," she said. "I hope these gifts will help them return to school and start the process of rebuilding their lives. I want Palestinian children to know that I stand with them and believe in their future."

She is reported to have donated $100,000 to Save the Children, $25,000 to KinderUSA and $25,000 to DCI Palestine to support families in Gaza after the recent attacks by Israel.

Palestinian children deserve to live in peace, to feel safe in their homes, to be educated and to pursue their dreams. I'm proud to stand with them and support them. Please join me in donating to: @savechildrenuk, @KinderUSA and @DCIPalestine.https://t.co/W2MTnYoFXU

— Malala (@Malala) May 27, 2021

Save the Children said in a statement that it will use the funds to provide "lifesaving and life-changing help to vulnerable children", which includes repairing damaged schools, providing clean water and food vouchers, supporting children’s mental health and wellbeing, and providing nutrition services for pregnant women and new mothers.

Six hospitals, nine clinics and 50 schools were damaged in Gaza. Its infrastructure has been badly damaged, with water pipes burst and just six to eight hours of electricity a day as the hospitals that continue to function struggle to cope with the sick and injured.

Read also: UN Gaza chief apologises after remarks 'praising' Israel's 'precision' in Gaza assault

KinderUSA is an American Muslim organisation focused on the health of Palestinian children, while DCI Palestine is an independent Palestinian promoting child rights.

"I pray for a lasting peace in the region and call on leaders to protect every child’s fundamental rights," Yousafzai said.

Jason Lee, Save the Children’s Country Director in the occupied Palestinian territory said the organisation is "immensely grateful to Malala for her generous donation to the children of Gaza as they begin the process of healing and rebuilding after 11 days of airstrikes."

A recent study by Save the Children found that a high percentage of children in Gaza show symptoms of depression, hyperactivity, aggression, and a preference for being alone, which is consistent with deep psychological distress.

"This most recent escalation will only have made things worse," Lee said. "While we welcome the ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian groups in Gaza, it isn’t enough as Palestinian children are still denied their fundamental rights. Children have told us they imagine a world where they have equal rights and live in peace and security. We owe it to future generations to do everything we can to make this a reality."