UNICEF: "Recreation Days" relieve stress for Gaza children

GAZA, Occupied Palestinian Territory, 25 July 2008 -- Every day, children and adolescents throughout the Gaza Strip suffer from the disruption of basic services and deteriorating living standards. The children of Shoka, a small Bedouin area bordering with Israel, are no exception.

Prior to the June 2008 Israeli-Palestinian truce, children here witnessed incursions and violence on a daily basis. Afraid to venture out, families cowered in their homes -- many without electricity and water.

"I felt shaken and scared," said Qasem Al Rasoud, a 12-year-old boy living in Shoka.

UNICEF is working to provide a respite from the stress and violence by scheduling recreational outings. The idea is to provide children the opportunity to play, have fun and simply be themselves.

To read the full story, visit: http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/oPt_44863.html

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• children
• violence
• Gaza
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• OPt