Christmas appeal

Athar, 20, lives in Gaza and is now studying at university, but in 2014 her life changed dramatically as a result of the war. Here she shares her personal account of what happened to her, and explains the strength it takes to survive in Gaza. ActionAid UK's #NoGirlAfraid Christmas appeal is supporting girls at risk in the world’s toughest places, because a life free from fear is every girl's right. Athar is happy to tell her story and says that this is the first time she has shared this with others.

It's only three weeks until Christmas. For many of us, our thoughts are turning towards spending time with family and friends at home. But worldwide, 14 million girls - equivalent to the population of greater London - could face a new year without the comforts of home, after being displaced by humanitarian disasters.Children’s author Giles Paley-Phillips has written a fictional children’s story, based on the experiences of girls who ActionAid works with, to show how child sponsorship can make a difference to girls in countries affected by conflict. Watch 'The Story of Hope', narrated by BAFTA award winning actor Anna Maxwell-Martin, and illustrated by Hannah Asen.

Although Gaza's last war ended in 2014, millions of people are living under a blockade and tensions between communities in the occupied Palestinian territory still run high. Young children are especially at risk - living in fear, in the shadow of ever-present violence. Here nine-year-old Suzjoud describes being attacked on her way to collect water near her home, and how ActionAid's first aid training became a lifeline for her family.

Exposed to dead bodies, witness to acts of violence - or even attacked themselves - children living in conflict often develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In the occupied Palestinian territory, ActionAid is providing psychosocial support to help children and their families recover from the damaging effects of trauma. 

Growing up as a girl in Gaza is terrifying. Many are traumatised and missing out on education because of the ongoing conflict and a worsening electricity crisis. The dark streets are too dangerous to get to school in early mornings and there’s not enough light to do homework by in the evenings. As we launch our Christmas appeal to make sure no girl grows up afraid, read our interview with some brave girls in Gaza to see how you can bring hope for the future to girls at risk in the world's toughest places.

You might know actor Fay Ripley as the determined and courageous Jenny in the much-loved TV drama "Cold Feet". She's also the author of several cookbooks and a proud mother to two very generous children. Here she shares with us the reasons for why her family sponsors not just one but two children through ActionAid, and describes her visit to Tanzania to witness our work first-hand, in this exclusive interview.