6 out of 10 children in Gaza suffer speech problems due to war-triggered anxiety, UN reports

The ongoing war in Gaza is causing a range of fear and anxiety induced speech problems, including stuttering, among young children, according to a therapist interviewed by the United Nations.

In a camp for displaced people west of the town of Al-Zawaida in Deir al-Balah governorate in Gaza, children whose lives have been turned upside down by a deadly war and widespread destruction are meeting speech therapist Amina Al-Dahdouh. She is there to help them regain confidence in speaking.

An increasing number of people, especially young children, are finding it difficult to express themselves as a result of the almost year-long war which has raged around them.

"Stuttering is the problem that has increased the most,” said Amina Al-Dahdouh. She estimates that six out of ten children in the camp currently suffer from speech difficulties.

There is plenty of demand for her services in the camp where family members, some of whom have been displaced multiple times, are sheltering from attacks by Israeli forces.

"Currently, I am treating more than 50 children with speech problems here in the camp, and there are other children from different camps who want to come here to receive treatment,” she said, adding that she provides services three days a week, and three more days for children in other camps.

WAM