UNICEF
UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL
CHILDREN’S EMERGENCY FUND
STUDY GUIDE
Contents
1. Welcome Letter
2. Introduction to UNICEF- United Nations International Children’s
Emergency Fund
3. Terminology of Child poverty
4. Development of the topic
5. Possible solutions
6. Bibliography
WELCOME LETTER
Dear Participants,
Welcome to the 2025 SEYMEN College Model United Nations Conference.
As your Secretary-General, we are looking forward to meeting you and hearing your
ideas for solving international problems.
The United Nations (UN) depends on the cooperation and goodwill of its 193 Member
States. Because each state has unique interests and concerns, it is challenging to write,
negotiate, and pass resolutions. Every stage of the process demands creativity and
diplomacy.
As your Secretary-General and committee chairs, we will work to keep the SEYMUN
2025 committees running smoothly. We will do our best to help you understand
parliamentary procedure and to ensure that the views of all delegates are heard and
respected.
This year we have aimed to raise awareness about very serious global issues. I accept
the the fact that we are all informed and concerned about water shortage, child
poverty, child abuse, water pollution, unrestrained armament, but in reality, honestly
what are we doing to take actions to prevent them? For this reason, in order not to
neglect, but be responsible to handle the matter, we have set our agenda as ‘Turn
Knowledge into Action’. Because we believe and have experienced that it is not the
case just to know the problem, nothing can be solved with information only. Problem
solving requires making moves and struggling willingly and passionately.
It is my hope that all those who attend SEYMUN’25 will cherish the memories made
for long after my gavel marks the end of the closing ceremony. On behalf of a
dedicated Secretariat and, our team, we, once again, welcome you to SEYMEN
MODEL UNITED NATIONS 2025.
SECRETARY-GENERAL
ARHAN TOKMAK
Introduction to UNICEF- United Nations International Children’s Emergency
Fund
UNICEF, special program of the United Nations (UN) devoted to aiding national
efforts to improve the health, nutrition, education, and general welfare of children.
UNICEF was created in 1946 to provide relief to children in countries devastated
by World War II. After 1950 the fund directed its efforts toward general programs for
the improvement of children’s welfare, particularly in less-developed countries and in
various emergency situations.
The organization’s broader mission was reflected in the name it adopted in 1953, the
United Nations Children’s Fund. UNICEF was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in
1965. It is headquartered in New York City.
UNICEF has concentrated much of its effort in areas in which relatively small
expenditures can have a significant impact on the lives of the most disadvantaged
children, such as the prevention and treatment of disease. In keeping with this strategy,
UNICEF supports immunization programs for childhood diseases and programs to
prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS; it also provides funding for health services,
educational facilities, and other welfare services.
Since 1996 UNICEF programs have been guided by the Convention on the Rights of
the Child (1989), which affirms the right of all children to “the enjoyment of the
highest attainable standard of health and to facilities for the treatment of illness and
rehabilitation of health.” UNICEF’s activities are financed by both government and
private contributions.
Key Terms
Blockade: The land, air, and sea blockade imposed on Gaza, severely restricting the
movement of goods and people, contributing to economic hardship and exacerbating
child poverty.
Humanitarian Crisis: The ongoing state of emergency in Gaza due to conflict,
blockade, and political instability, resulting in widespread poverty, particularly
affecting children.
Food Insecurity: The lack of reliable access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food,
which affects a significant portion of children in Gaza, leading to malnutrition and
stunted growth.
Malnutrition: A condition resulting from inadequate nutrition, prevalent among
children in Gaza due to food insecurity and poverty, leading to health issues like
stunting and wasting.
Unemployment: The high rate of joblessness in Gaza, which affects household
incomes and contributes to child poverty by limiting families' ability to meet basic
needs.
Access to Education: The challenges faced by children in Gaza in obtaining quality
education due to damaged infrastructure, overcrowded schools, and lack of resources,
contributing to long-term poverty.
Psychosocial Stress: The mental and emotional strain experienced by children in Gaza
due to the ongoing conflict, violence, and poverty, which can lead to long-term
psychological issues.
Water and Sanitation Crisis: The severe shortage of clean water and inadequate
sanitation facilities in Gaza, which contributes to health problems among children and
exacerbates poverty.
Health Infrastructure: The damaged and under-resourced healthcare system in Gaza,
which struggles to provide adequate medical care to children, affecting their health and
well-being.
Housing Insecurity: The lack of safe and stable housing for many families in Gaza
due to conflict and economic hardship, leading to homelessness and increased child
poverty.
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs): Families and children who have been forced to
leave their homes due to conflict, often living in overcrowded and impoverished
conditions in Gaza.
Fuel Shortages: The lack of fuel in Gaza, which disrupts essential services like
electricity and healthcare, worsening living conditions and contributing to child
poverty.
Development of the topic
Child poverty is a global issue that affects millions of children, but in Gaza, the
situation is particularly serious. Decades of conflict, political instability, and economic
blockade have left the region struggling with one of the highest poverty rates in the
world.
For the children of Gaza, poverty is not just an economic condition—it is a
daily reality that impacts every aspect of their lives, from health and education to their
overall well-being and future prospects. Addressing and ultimately ending child
poverty in Gaza requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes and
provides sustainable solutions.
The conflict in the Gaza Strip is taking a catastrophic toll on children. More
than 14,000 children have reportedly been killed, according to the latest estimate by
the Palestinian Ministry of Health; thousands more have been injured. There are no
safe spaces.
All of Gaza’s children have been exposed to the traumatic experiences of war,
the consequences of which will last a lifetime.
Around 1.9 million people – about 9 in 10 of Gaza’s population – are estimated
to have been internally displaced. Half of them children. They do not have enough
access to water, food, fuel and medicine. Their homes have been destroyed; their
families torn apart. Many children have been displaced multiple times, and have lost
homes, parents and loved ones.
They need to be protected, along with the remaining services that they rely on,
including medical facilities and shelter.
What's happening in Gaza?
Children in the State of Palestine have grown up under the shadow of recurrent
violence and crushing poverty.
Today, children in the Gaza Strip face the deadly effects of disease and malnutrition as
ongoing conflict cuts them off from safe water, food and medicine.
Children and families are under attack
Children and their families have come under attack in the places they should be safest
– their homes, shelters, hospitals and places of worship. Thousands of children have
been injured and killed. Children have been reporting to hospitals with severe burns
and injuries that have required amputation.
Through it all, children remain cut off from psychosocial care. Even before this latest
escalation, more than 500,000 children in Gaza were identified as needing mental
health and psychosocial support.
Today, every child has been exposed to deeply distressing events and trauma, marked
by widespread destruction and displacement. Meanwhile, parents and caregivers are
themselves under intense mental strain.
Access to nutritious food has plummeted
For many families, the threat of dying from hunger is real. In late June 2024, an
Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report found that 96 per cent of
the population were facing acute food insecurity, including almost half a million
people in catastrophic conditions. A high risk of famine persists across the whole Gaza
Strip as long as conflict continues and humanitarian access is restricted.
The Scope of Child Poverty in Gaza
The situation in Gaza is exacerbated by a combination of factors, including prolonged
conflict, economic isolation, and a lack of access to essential resources. Over 80% of
the population in Gaza lives below the poverty line, with children being the most
vulnerable group. Many families struggle to provide basic needs such as food, clean
water, and shelter. The unemployment rate in Gaza is one of the highest in the world,
further exacerbating poverty and limiting opportunities for children to break free from
the cycle of poverty.
Food insecurity is a significant issue in Gaza, with nearly half of all households facing
difficulty in securing enough nutritious food. Malnutrition is common among children,
leading to stunted growth, weakened immune systems, and developmental delays. The
ongoing conflict has also led to the destruction of homes, schools, and healthcare
facilities, making it even more difficult for children to access the resources they need
to thrive.
Education, a key factor in breaking the cycle of poverty, is severely impacted in Gaza.
Many schools are overcrowded, under-resourced, and in poor condition due to
repeated conflicts. Children often miss school due to violence, displacement, or the
need to work to support their families. The psychological toll of living in a conflict
zone also affects their ability to focus and learn, leading to long-term consequences for
their educational attainment and future opportunities.
Challenges to Ending Child Poverty in Gaza
Ending child poverty in Gaza is a complex challenge that requires addressing both
immediate needs and long-term systemic issues. The ongoing blockade imposed by
Israel has severely restricted the movement of goods and people, leading to an
economic crisis that hinders development efforts. The blockade limits access to
essential resources such as food, medicine, fuel, and building materials, making it
difficult to rebuild infrastructure and provide necessary services.
The frequent outbreaks of violence in the region further complicate efforts to address
child poverty. Each round of conflict results in the destruction of homes, schools, and
healthcare facilities, setting back progress and exacerbating the already hard situation.
The psychological impact of living in a war zone also cannot be underestimated, as
many children in Gaza suffer from trauma and stress-related disorders, which can have
long-lasting effects on their mental health and development.
Another significant challenge is the lack of adequate funding and support from the
international community. Humanitarian aid is often insufficient to meet the needs of
the population, and many programs that aim to address child poverty are underfunded.
Additionally, political divisions and instability within the Palestinian territories
complicate the coordination and implementation of poverty alleviation efforts.
Solutions to Ending Child Poverty in Gaza
Despite the immense challenges, there are pathways to reducing and eventually ending
child poverty in Gaza. A multifaceted approach that includes immediate humanitarian
aid, long-term development programs, and efforts to address the root causes of poverty
is essential.
1. Humanitarian Aid and Emergency Relief: In the short term, increased
humanitarian aid is crucial to meet the basic needs of children in Gaza. This
includes providing food assistance, clean water, healthcare, and shelter to those
in need. International organizations, NGOs, and donor countries must increase
their support to ensure that children receive the immediate care they need to
survive and thrive.
2. Education and Skill Development: Investing in education is one of the most
effective ways to break the cycle of poverty. Efforts should focus on rebuilding
and improving the quality of education in Gaza, ensuring that all children have
access to safe, well-resourced schools. Vocational training and skill
development programs can also provide older children and youth with the tools
they need to secure employment and build a better future for themselves and
their communities.
3. Economic Development and Job Creation: Addressing the high
unemployment rate in Gaza is essential for reducing poverty. This requires
lifting the blockade and allowing for the free movement of goods and people,
which would enable economic growth and job creation. Supporting local
businesses, agriculture, and industries can create employment opportunities and
provide families with the income they need to lift themselves out of poverty.
4. Mental Health and Psychosocial Support: Given the high levels of trauma
and stress among children in Gaza, providing mental health and psychosocial
support is crucial. Programs that offer counseling, therapy, and support groups
can help children and their families cope with the psychological impact of
living in a conflict zone. Schools should also incorporate mental health services
and support systems to help students deal with the challenges they face.
5. Advocacy and International Pressure: Ending child poverty in Gaza also
requires addressing the political and structural issues that perpetuate the crisis.
The international community must advocate for an end to the blockade, a
resolution to the conflict, and respect for human rights in the region. Increased
diplomatic efforts and pressure on all parties involved are necessary to create an
environment where development and poverty alleviation efforts can succeed.
6. Long-Term Development Programs: Beyond immediate relief, long-term
development programs that focus on infrastructure, healthcare, and economic
resilience are essential for sustainable poverty reduction. Building resilient
communities with access to clean water, reliable electricity, and quality
healthcare will improve the overall quality of life for children in Gaza and
reduce the impact of future crises.
Ending child poverty in Gaza is a terrifying challenge, but it is not unsolvable. It
requires a coordinated effort that addresses both the immediate needs of children and
the underlying causes of poverty. By increasing humanitarian aid, investing in
education and economic development, providing mental health support, and
advocating for political change, it is possible to create a brighter future for the children
of Gaza.
The international community, along with local leaders and organizations, must come
together to ensure that every child in Gaza has the opportunity to live a life free from
poverty and filled with hope and opportunity.
Bibliography:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/UNICEF
https://www.unicef.org/emergencies/children-gaza-need-lifesaving-support
