A Cry for Help to Evacuate My Family from Gaza

I am Mohammed S. Al-Habil and I’m raising funds to help my family evacuate from Gaza, enabling us to survive the on-going war and begin to rebuild our shattered lives.

My family is originally from Khan Younis where I worked as a field coordinator for the organization, AISHA [Association for Women and Child Protection] whose mission is serving and protecting the women and children of Gaza. My father, Saleem Ismail, was a teacher at an UNRWA school and my mother, Asmaa, the caretaker of the family and home. I have 4 siblings ranging in ages from 17 – 28 years. My two sisters have five children between them ages 5-12 years and my sister’s husband, Ahmed, a lawyer, is also sheltering with our family. We are a close-knit family that will always protect and support each other under any circumstances.

Prior to the war I graduated from the Islamic University and received a degree in Business Administration. Since graduation I have chosen to fight for those in Gaza who have no ability to obtain even the most basic human rights. My dream was to travel abroad to attend the Doha Institute in Qatar and continue my education with the hopes of earning my Master’s Degree. My family all had their own individual hopes and dreams as well.

Since October we were forced to evacuate to Rafah and we’re now living in makeshift tents. Access to food and water are scarce and, with limited aid getting through the borders and millions of people trying to secure food, the little that is available is very expensive. Those without money often go hungry and just getting through a single day is challenging and exhausting. With each new day we are just grateful we are still alive.

Our once-beloved home, has now been reduced to rubble and our memories scattered in the wind. Every brick, every room, every item that held the moments of our lives, is now gone – a painful reminder that we have lost everything that was once meaningful to us. This loss and the many lives lost daily are a constant painful reminder of the destruction and violence all around us that all Gazan’s are now facing. Our hearts are very heavy right now and we are struggling daily against despair.

We are nine adults and five children in total and the cost of evacuation stands at $57,500. Living expenses for the first 6 months would include $3000 rent and $3000 for food and transportation. Extra monies raised will help cover the costs of housewares, clothing and medicine and anything else that may arise because our future is uncertain. My cousin, Ibrahim, in Ontario, Canada is collecting the funds for our family and will send to us as needed.

I humbly ask you to help us by contributing to our campaign. No amount is too small. Your support will not only help alleviate the physical losses we are experiencing but will also give us hope for the future. We kindly ask that you also share our fundraiser widely. Thank you on behalf of my family for taking the time to read our story.

- Mohammed and the rest of Al-Habil family ❤️