Help the Abu Jwifel family from Gaza evacuate to safety
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My name is Ahmed Abu Jwifel, and I am a software engineer from Gaza. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has significantly affected my career, life and the lives of my family. I am sharing our story and asking for your support in evacuating immediately and rebuilding our lives.
The remains of my family's home in Jabalia
My Story:
I am part of a family of nine members, including my mother, two sisters, one brother, my brother-in-law, and my three young nephews, including a newborn (the eldest two are in the cover photo of this campaign). At the start of the war, we were displaced from our destroyed home in Gaza.
Our tent in Khan Younis
As the conflict intensified, we were forced to move multiple times:
- Initial Displacement: From Gaza, we moved to Khan Younis.
- Military Operation: When the military operation expanded to Khan Younis, we relocated to the West Side of Khan Younis, known as Al Mawasi.
- Further Moves: With the escalation, we moved to Rafah, where we lived with three other families in a house for women and a tent for men for a couple of months.
- Final Displacement: When the last operation on Rafah took place, we moved again to Khan Younis, living in two tents.
Our tent in Rafah
Impact on Our Lives:
- Homelessness: Throughout this ordeal, my family lost a house in Jabalia and an apartment in Gaza. With borders to Egypt closed and a high influx of people to the middle of the Gaza Strip, life became increasingly difficult.
- Job instability: During this period, my brother and I, the financial providers for our family, both lost our jobs. My brother lost his in the fourth month of the war, while I lost mine during the first month. We managed to support ourselves during the war, but the situation grew dire at our final displacement location.
- Water Shortage: Access to clean drinking water and usable water became a critical problem, leading to hepatitis A for several family members, including myself.
- Cost of Living: The prices for food and transportation increased dramatically, making daily life a struggle.
Looking Forward:
I started a new job at the beginning of August 2024, which was hopeful. However, the startup company has now been closed. I am seeking new work and am determined to make the best of any opportunity.
How Your Support Will Help:
- Evacuation: Our main goal is evacuation. This will cost a minimum of $5,000 USD per person. We are depending on fundraising to cover this expense. There is news that borders may be reopening soon. There is an urgency to fundraise to prepare for the opportunity.
- Rebuild Our Lives: If we can evacuate successfully to Egypt, your support will help us rebuild our lives in a new country.
- Immediate Needs: Your contribution will help us with our shelter and cover day-to-day essential expenses like clean water and food.
More photos of our tent and living conditions
Thank you for your kindness and support. Any contribution, big or small, will make a significant difference in our lives as we strive to rebuild and secure a better future. Sharing this campaign with your network would mean the world to us.
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A note from the campaign organizer:
Hello everyone,
I am located in Canada, one of the few countries with access to GoFundMe, so I am facilitating this campaign on Ahmed's behalf. I met Ahmed through Manara, a professional organization that supports software developers in the Middle East.
I'm taking over the campaign from his friend (Ihab Abuqamar), who was previously fundraising for him and was based in Germany.
Thank you for your support,
Dannielle
Organizer
Dannielle Sakher
Organizer
London, ON