London fostering agency calls for support for orphaned children of Gaza

Banya, an independent fostering agency based in Herne Hill that provides homes for children in need, is urging the government to create a clear plan to help unaccompanied Palestinian children.

Banya has worked with many unaccompanied children arriving from war zones, highlighting the case of one young refugee who was separated from his sister while fleeing persecution. His foster carer, Banya and the Red Cross, helped reunite them and his sister came to live with him and his foster family. This young man has now gone on to study a degree in Finance and graduated with a first. He now works at Banya and his sister is attending university.

Banya’s Managing Director Chido Poe says: “We are calling for the UK government to step up and offer real solutions for children who have lost everything. The infrastructure in Palestine has been devastated, and many of these children have no home to return to. They are at risk of exploitation and harm without proper care and support. I believe we need to offer solutions.”

Banya has been at the forefront of providing therapeutic interventions and support to children in care, working to minimise the long-term impacts of childhood trauma. The agency is now urging members of the public to take action by writing to their MPs.

“Now is the time for compassion. We are encouraging people to get involved—whether by using their voices to call for government action to help the children of Palestine or helping in the UK by opening their homes to the 100,000 children in care in this country. Children in care are more likely to end up homeless, in prison or having mental health problems. We work tirelessly to minimise the negative impact of being in care and have seen first-hand how a loving home can change a child’s life.”

Chido grew up with three foster brothers who fled the war in Somalia. She says: "It was a huge learning curve for me to have foster brothers and sisters. It made me realise how lucky I was in terms of the family and support I had."