“I endured 45 days of relentless fire and displacement in Gaza before fleeing to Egypt,” says 23-year-old Atta, member of the Youth Advisory Panel (YAP) from Gaza. “Since the beginning of the war, I have been motivated, being a YAP member, to combat the Israeli violations through advocacy efforts on behalf of my Palestinian peers.”
Gaza is devastated after nearly nine months of war, marked by Israeli ground incursions and extensive aerial bombardments. Since 7 October, over 39,000 Palestinians have been killed, with over 70% of these being women and children. Youth in Gaza are not attending school or university, face nearly nonexistent employment opportunities, and are exposed to safety and security risks, including violence, abuse, and exploitation. They are also experiencing psychological trauma and, as much of Gaza’s population, are facing severe shortages of food, water, healthcare, and other basic necessities.
UNFPA's Work
In light of the escalating humanitarian crisis, UNFPA and YAP saw the urgent need for immediate action. YAP, formed in 2021 and consisting of 9 Palestinian young men and nine young women, have taken a pioneering role during the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the rising violence in the West Bank. “As YAP, our mission is to ensure that Palestinian youth voices are heard and taken into consideration in all matters affecting them,” says Atta. Utilizing skills gained from previous experiences, YAP members effectively planned and implemented vital humanitarian support initiatives. “We had to include relief interventions in addition to our advisory role to respond to the escalated humanitarian needs in the Gaza Strip,” explains Atta. “It was challenging to move to deliver relief assistance under fire, with no assurance of our own safety. With my YAP mate Ahmad, as part of YAP’s relief efforts in Gaza, we distributed hundreds of food and nonfood items to over 5,000 displaced families.” As the violence intensified, Atta and other YAP members invested more and more in the opportunity digital platforms afforded them, leading youth-centered advocacy and awareness-raising efforts.
Personal Resolution
After fleeing to Cairo, Atta wanted to share his story. “As a YAP member, I participated in several meetings, conferences, and seminars to highlight the challenges and aspirations of Palestinian youth.” But Atta and his team mates endeavored to do even more. Struggling to communicate effectively with their peers at home, coordinating their efforts and digital algorithms on social media often restricted the content they were trying to share. Money transfers to Gaza, closures of crossings, and visa denials for YAP members were a stark reminder of their limitations, but Atta and his YAP team members remained resolute. “I amplified my voice as a survivor of the war to spread awareness about the innocent civilians living in Gaza, sharing their eagerness for just peace and self-determination.”
Call for Action
Despite these challenges, YAP has leveraged its networks and resources to provide urgent relief and raise awareness about the situation in Palestine. Since 7 October, Atta and his fellow YAP members have been using digital and in-person advocacy to share, among others, personal stories from Gaza, highlighting the humanity of its people and advocating for an end to the conflict through speeches, social media campaigns, advocacy statements and documentary videos, among others. Atta believes it is crucial for the global community to hear their voices, amplify their stories, and demand an immediate ceasefire and a future where all youth, regardless of their circumstances, can live in peace, dignity, and with hope.
