One of the world's longest-running conflicts has raged in the Holy Land for nearly 60 years. Since the establishment of the modern State of Israel in 1948, Israelis and Palestinians have been locked in a violent struggle for justice and security.

As in any conflict, children—all children—suffer the most.

World Vision's goal is to create an environment where peace can exist and children can thrive.

World Vision in the Middle East
World Vision has worked in the Middle East—including Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza—for 31 years.

World Vision is a nonpolitical humanitarian organization whose first priority is for the care and well-being of children no matter religion, race, ethnicity or gender. In a region filled with political and social tension, World Vision's goal is to create an environment where children can thrive, reach their full potential and a "generation transformed" can build lasting peace.

World Vision provides humanitarian and development assistance to impoverished children and families to help meet basic needs such as:

• Food and water (including agricultural production)
• Medical services
• Education
• Jobs training
• Psycho-social counseling

In addition to our ongoing development work in the region, World Vision has partnered with "Parents Circle-Families Forum," which is comprised of both Israeli and Palestinian bereaved families who advocate for peace. 

Of the 1.4 million people living in Gaza, about 60 percent of them are children.

Poverty in the Region

The political tensions of the region have contributed to great economic loss and hardship, with poverty rates highest among Palestinians.

According to latest polls, 81 percent of families in Gaza live beneath the poverty line of $2.70 per day and the unemployment rate is an alarmingly high 40 percent. According to the UN, 70 percent of people in Gaza are dependent on food aid. Some 59 percent of the population in the West Bank live below the poverty line.

One in three children in the Gaza Strip suffers from malnutrition, which can stunt long-term physical and mental development. Inadequate water supplies and unequal distribution of water resources are a serious problem.