Help Hasan's Family Escape Gaza Crisis

Hello, my name is Kim Lemen. I'm a citizen of the United States, and a former policy wonk at the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention. My husband is a former Rear Admiral with the U.S. Public Health Service, a former Army vet (draftee), and he retired as Asst. Surgeon General of the U.S. Needless to say, we have both traveled to some distressed countries in our time.

I'm raising money for the family of my family's long time friend Hasan Abu Hamam. The family needs to get out of Gaza and into Egypt. It is possible to relocate, but it costs money. Right now they are living in a tent in Rafah. They are so close to Egypt, yet it takes money to cross. $7,000 per person. The family has about 40% of the funds needed.

This mission is important to me because my family has known the Hamam family for 15 years, and we know that they are honorable, peaceful people who just want to survive. This is the third time their home has been destroyed and this time there's no rebuilding it. Whatever you can spare will be so appreciated. They are facing mass starvation within a few months. Here's a little about the family:

Hasan (43) holds a PhD in business management. He was a lecturer at the University of Gaza, but it has been destroyed and the salaries stopped. He has also worked for many NGOs, but jobs are scarce to non-existent right now.

The family consists of six people. Hasan (43) holds a PhD in business management. He was a lecturer at the University of Gaza, but it has been destroyed and the salaries stopped. He has also worked for many NGOs, but jobs are scarce to non-existent right now. His father, Issa, 69, has had a stroke and is currently in a tent hospital. His mom, Hafs, 67, is with the family. She has suffered and injury to her foot. His wife, Nisreen is determined that her family survives this conflict. Son, Fares (16) is a talented singer. Daughter, Yara (14) is gifted at drawing. Unfortunately, they are living in a tent now and suffering greatly with the heat and insects. Finding clean water is increasingly difficult.

Full disclosure: Due to the destruction of infrastructure in Gaza, it is not possible to wire money there at the moment. While I work with Hasan to get the money raised to him, I will hold the money in a separate savings account. If after two years the money cannot be sent for any reason, I will donate it to Save the Children/Gaza. I wish I could raise this money directly for Hasan, but he is not a U.S. Citizen so I have to do this by the honor system.