The Intersecting Impact of Public Health Crises on Children’s Learning and Survival Outcomes in Gaza: A Public Health Field Practice Report

This Public Health Field Practice Report examines the intersection between public health crises and educational disruption among school-aged children in Gaza during 2025. Conducted under extreme emergency conditions, the research utilizes a pragmatic, integrated data approach, synthesizing secondary quantitative data (from WHO, UNICEF, UNRWA, and OCHA) with primary qualitative insights derived from semi-structured interviews and field observations. Findings indicate that the protracted conflict, which has exceeded two and a half years (since 2023), compounded by widespread infrastructure destruction, recurrent epidemics, acute malnutrition, and severe psychosocial distress, has profoundly undermined children’s cognitive development, learning continuity, and school attendance. Over 70% of children experienced educational interruptions lasting up to two and a half years, including 40% whose interruption exceeded two years, while 58% were affected by health conditions detrimentally impacting concentration or attendance, The destruction has rendered schools, universities, and hospitals either completely or partially damaged, or entirely unfit for use as educational or shelter facilities, necessitating the use of temporary shelters and tents for teaching and medical care. Primary determinants of this disruption include: (1) chronic insecurity and forced displacement, (2) severe deterioration of healthcare access, (3) weakened educational infrastructure and reliance on temporary shelters, and (4) inadequate water and sanitation systems. Conclusion : The collapse of public health systems constitutes the fundamental barrier to learning in conflict zones. Urgent, multi-sectoral, and integrated interventions encompassing nutritional support, psychosocial services, and the simultaneous reconstruction of essential health and education infrastructure are required to safeguard children's survival and educational outcomes.