Why I am Raising Money for Family in Gaza.

Salam Alaikum dear brothers and sisters, my name is Belal Abujami. I am a Palestinian living in the United States, originally from Gaza, a place where the echoes of war have become a relentless part of daily lives. Today, I am not just seeking help, I am pleading for a chance at survival for my family, my fellow brothers and sisters, and anybody with any ounce of empathy and compassion.

I have more than 35 family members, as well as their spouses and kids, who are in a continuous fight and struggle just for basic needs. As the entire world knows, this has increased drastically since 14 months. They were forced by the Israeli Army from their homes just to stay alive. When they returned, all that was left was rubble from the homes they once grew up and raised families in. Just to emphasize, when I say rubble, I mean completely destroyed.

They have no access to clean water, food, or shelter. No human should have to endure this battle. Their will to survive is unmatched, but there is only so much they can do and only so much I can do. I have extended myself as far as I can. They have pleaded for more support due to the horrors they experience daily. This is a last resort for the family, just to survive as they are unable to work or earn any income in any fashion.

Since we are in the height of the winter, heavy rain and high waves wash away tents of Gaza's displaced. The recent rain flooded tents and damaged them beyond repair, leaving families to rely on scraps of material for shelter. The price of tents and the plastic sheets used to make them is surging. As you may know, tents in refugee camps are typically made of materials that do not keep the rain or the cold out, Strong winds, dropping temperatures and heavy rains have exacerbated people’s hardship as people’s improvised tents made of cloth, tarpaulin or plastic sheeting cannot withstand the cold and hard winds. Even some people in Gaza are dying of cold there nowadays.

I am pleading for any donation, any amount, to help raise funds to purchase better tents to survive the winter conditions and other elements. Each tent costs approximately $1,000-$1,200, including its water, bathroom, and sanitation. The money will also go to relocating to a safer place and to help provide their basic needs, including food and cleaning supplies, and cooking gas, which are very expensive at this moment, due to an increase in demand and decrease of supply. As of today, a bag of flour in Gaza costs around $150 for a 25kg bag.

The money will be sent via the Western Union, through local money services providers. I greatly appreciate you taking the time to consider my ask for help. I know anybody reading this would do whatever they can for their family. That’s what I am doing, and I hope you can find it in your hearts to help.

Thank you very much. I truly appreciate your donation. Please keep in mind that I am not collecting donations for public, and it's for my family members only.

Jazakum Allah Khairan!