Social support for refugee and asylum seeker children at risk and with special needs

Providing life-saving support to a high-distress community

There are approximately 42,000 refugees, asylum seekers and migrant workers living in Tel Aviv-Yafo. Half of these are asylum seekers, the majority of whom are Eritreans with some Sudanese. This includes approximately 5,000 children of asylum-seekers, the majority of whom are aged 0-6. In Israel, asylum seekers lack basic rights. As a result, the risks and dangers faced by this community as a whole – and by the weaker members in particular – are extreme.

Approximately 850 children per year are identified as at-risk and treated by social workers through the Municipality of Tel Aviv-Yafo. This means 20% of children in the asylum seeker community face physical violence, sexual violence, extreme poverty and neglect. Approximately 66% come from families with a single mother; 25% of all children report physical abuse at home; 240 parents report physical disabilities or severe emotional distress; some suffer from a psychiatric disorder, and most do not have access to adequate support. None of these families or children are eligible for governmental social security allowances.

Over 330 children with special needs from 180 families receive treatment through the Municipality of Tel Aviv-Yafo each year, for conditions including autism spectrum disorder, physical and mental disabilities, various diseases, developmental cognitive disabilities, and Down syndrome. There is a significant challenge as many parents are not able to identify or respond appropriately to their child’s condition.

The Tel Aviv Foundation is seeking a philanthropic investment towards support services for children and families at risk and/or who have special needs. The requested donation extends over three years to ensure continuity and consistency of support for this high distress community.

The requested donation (over three years): $618,000.