Psychosocial and nutritional support to pre-school age children and their siblings in Gaza Strip

1. Psychosocial and nutritional support to pre-school age children and their siblings in Gaza Strip ECHO/-ME/BUD/2009/01045 Presentation of Project Findings September 2009 - June 2010 Commodore Gaza Hotel, Gaza, 29 June 2010

3. promoting healthy life styles within their families

5. With the support of The implementingpartnersPalestinianMedicalRelief SocietyTerre deshommes Italia The Beneficiaries Children <5 Families Kindergartens (teachers & directors) The Stakeholders M.o.H. M.o.E. Service Provider Can’an Institute of New Pedagogy

6. Area of intervention West of Rafah - East of Khan Younis Abassan al Zanna, Abassan al Kabira, Abassan al Jadida, Banisohaila, Abu Taema, Al Gharbia, MawasiRafah, Canada, Tal el Sultan 5

8. 6,000 family members of anaemic/malnourished children

9. 90 teachers and directorsNB round figures Total number: 10,090

10. Results achieved Caregivers increased their knowledge about children needs and decreased violent and coercitive attitudes and practices towards them Children improved autonomy and relationships with peers and caregivers Children improved their nutritional status and their Hb value Families improved their nutritional habits and started adopting an healthier lifestyle

11. Main activities

13. training of teachers including follow up throughout the project

14. structured recreational, educational and stress releasing activities for children & mothers

15. psychosocial support to families and teachers including referral to specialized institutions

16. nutritional screening of children and siblings

17. distribution therapeutic and prophylactic doses of iron and multivitamins

18. referral of medical cases to PMRS and/or other specialized institutions

19. improvement and rehabilitation of KGs9

20. Awareness Activities IntegratedPsychosocial and Nutritional Awarenessfor mothers 10

21. Home Based Activities 2,000 home visits for all anaemic and malnourished cases identified including nutritional counselling to improve nutritional habits and monitor compliance to therapy 11

22. Project Impact 12

24. Children difficult behaviours in reaction to adult poor skills in dealing with them

25. 35.6% <5y children anaemic

26. 75.5% prevalence of anaemia in children <24 months

27. 100% improved the interaction with peers and 69% the autonomy

28. 92% recognise the adult as referent for solving conflicts with the peers

29. 3700 received supplementation

30. 67% cured from anaemia

32. Trips with mothers

33. Screening and supplementation

34. Referral 13

35. 14

36. 15 15

38. 58.7% attending KG – 41.3% siblings

39. more than 50% above 4 years16

40. Prevalence of Anaemia 17

42. Overweight 5.2% of children overweight The BMI for age curbs show a slight shift to right side 20

44. 32.8% still anaemic, but:

45. severe and moderate anaemia reduced from 10.3% to 1.6%

46. 28.6% improved haemoglobin >=1gr/dl clinically significant21

47. Improvement Improvement of HB is strongly linked to age 22

49. little consideration for pedagogical relationship with families

51. mentoring and on the job follow up

52. peer support and networking88% improved their performance 92% improved knowledge of children needs

55. 26

57. 0.49% needed referralDifficulties reported: bed wetting, stubborness, introversion, aggressivity, finger suckingspeech difficulties

59. Educational strategies are very poor

60. Child’s mistakes perceived with sense of failure, shame and loss of trust

61. Poor follow up of children at KG

63. Mentoring

64. Home based nutritional counselling100% increased understanding of children needs and improved relation with teachers 100% acquired clearer understanding of nutrition principles 28

65. Poor use of different educational strategies and frequent use of punishments has changed 29

66. 30

67. Child’s mistakes were perceived with far too strong emotional reactions such as sense of failure, shame and loosing trust in themselves as mothers and in the child 31

68. Poor follow up of the child at KG and poor communication with teachers to develop joint educational strategies, especially for children showing difficult behaviours 32

69. Why is anemia bad for children? 33

70. What are the causes of anemia? 34

71. What food is bad for children growth? 35

72. More @ ECHO - EuropeanCommissionHumanitarianAid ec.europa.eu/echo/index_en.htm Palestinian Medical Relief Society www.pmrs.ps Fondazione Terre des hommes Italia www.terredeshommes.it Pictures Alessio Romenzi www.photoshelter.com/c/alessioromenzi 36

73. 37

74. The Psychosocial and nutritional support to preschool-age children and their siblings in Gaza Strip - ECHO/-ME/BUD/2009/01045 project and this presentation have been realised with the support of ‘The European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid department supports relief activities for vulnerable people in crisis zones around the world.’ Disclaimer “This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Commission. The views expressed herein should not be taken, in any way, to reflect the official opinion of the European Commission.” 38