Hello, my name is Shahd, I live in the UK and I am of proud Palestinian Heritage

Currently, my family and I are facing a critical situation as we try to ensure the safe evacuation of 15 members of my family through Rafah to Egypt – 7 of them being children. This necessitates securing visas for each individual, as they have unfortunately lost their passports amidst the events of their displacement costing $5000 per person with some additional financial support to facilitate their transition to Egypt - where they hope to establish a new life by seeking employment and settling down.

They currently are exposed to a humanitarian catastrophe of genocide. The toll of the aggression beginning from five months ago has exceeded 31,000 martyrs and seen 71,000 injured leaving thousands orphaned. Thousands are subjugated to living in tents, with homes completely destroyed as a result of the incessant bombings .

Unfortunately, my family finds themselves at a heartbreaking predicament, compelling us to make this difficult decision to try evacuate them out of our homeland. Amongst those we are seeking to evacuate are my young cousins, aged 2, 4, 5 and 10.

We are originally from Al Majdal but were violently forced out during the Nakba by settlers and their various displacements. This five month period of genocide is a snippet of many cycles of vioelence they have had to endure. The harrowing reality of the situation weighs heavily upon us, as we battle with the constant fear of impending tragedy. My family's resilience in the face of adversity is unparalleled, yet the relentless onslaught of terror and violence leaves us with no recourse but to seek refuge elsewhere. We hope that we are able to raise enough to safely evacuate them out to Egypt.

I appeal to your compassion and generosity, seeking any form of assistance you may be able to provide. Your support, no matter how small, holds the potential to make a profound difference in the lives of those seeking refuge from the ravages of conflict and persecution.

These are the names and ages of my family members:

Muhammad Al-Sharif, 36 years old, and his wife, Noha, 34 years old.

His children are Rahaf, 12, Hazem, 10, and Iman, 5.

Alaa Al-Sharif, 34, her husband, the doctor Tariq, and their twin children, Sarah and Iman, 10 years old

Saja Al-Sharif, 29, her husband Hazem, 33, and their children, Ayan, 4, and Ahmed, 2

Ahmed Al-Sharif, 27 years old

Their mother (my aunt) Iman Al-Sharif, 55 years old

Thank you so much.

Shahd Salama