"It’s a failure of humanity": Ms. Rachel advocates for Gaza's traumatized children

In an exclusive interview with British online newspaper, The Independent, children’s YouTube star Rachel Anne Accurso, better known as Ms. Rachel, shared her emotional response to a heartbreaking video she encountered on TikTok.

Read more: YouTuber Ms. Rachel raises her voice for children of Gaza

The footage depicted a young boy, around five years old, in severe shock after a bombing in Gaza. “The look in his eyes has stayed in my mind since I saw the video,” said Accurso. She recounted how a compassionate doctor comforted the boy, who eventually broke down in tears. “No child should experience that kind of fear, shock, and terror,” she emphasized.

This encounter spurred Accurso to become a vocal advocate for children affected by the ongoing genocide, even as it sparked controversy in the polarized landscape of public opinion in the US With over 13 million YouTube subscribers and a significant presence on social media, she has created an empire around her educational programming.

The tragic plight of children during the ongoing aggression became a central concern for Accurso, particularly as the UN reported that around 14,500 children had died in Gaza due to relentless Israeli Occupation bombings. “I couldn’t look away from the scale and gravity of suffering I was seeing every day,” she remarked.

Accurso highlighted the critical nature of early childhood development and the long-term consequences of trauma and malnutrition. “It’s a failure of humanity to deny children food, water, medical care, shelter, and education, and to not protect children from violence,” she added.

Despite the risks associated with addressing such a contentious issue, Accurso felt morally obligated to leverage her platform for good. “I wouldn’t be true to myself if I didn’t use that platform to speak out for every child, everywhere,” she stated.

Accurso highlighted numerous times the psychological, emotional, and physical toll that prolonged violence and famine have on children. She underscored the importance of nurturing environments for children's growth.

Earlier in 2024, Accurso raised USD 50,000 within hours for Save the Children fund for kids in Gaza, Congo, Sudan, and Ukraine by fulfilling Cameo requests and donating all the profits to charity.

"Every penny on my end will go to [Save the Children] to help children facing unimaginable circumstances," she stated.

While the majority of her followers responded positively, she also faced backlash.

However, some users accused Accurso of bias, arguing that her failure to address the suffering of "Israeli" children undermined her message of empathy.

Comments on her social media posts included sentiments like, “You should be for all children not just the children in Gaza,” and “Do you care about all children?”

Accurso opened up about the intense bullying she has faced online after announcing the fundraising campaign, including Gaza.

She reiterated that her concern extends to “I care deeply for all children. Palestinian children, Israeli children, children in the US - Muslim, Jewish, Christian children - all children, in every country. Not one is excluded.”

Despite the criticism, Accurso remains determined to continue her fundraising efforts and advocate for the welfare of children affected in Gaza. “We can’t let children starve. That is not who we are.”

Recently, Accurso shared a heartwarming video of children in Gaza enjoying her content, underscoring her desire to bring joy amid suffering. “I want them to know that I love and cherish them, and so many others do too,” she said, reflecting her enduring commitment to the well-being of all children.