Help get Wisam out of Gaza

Getting Wisam out of Gaza

We are four journalists/producers who are desperately trying to raise the money to get our friend and former colleague Wisam al Ashi out of Gaza. But we need your help! Wisam and his young family are living in a tent in Rafah and we are desperate to help them escape.

Marijke Peters and Monique van Hoogstraten worked as

reporters in the Palestinian Territories between 2012-2018, and Wisam was our cameraman and driver whenever we were in Gaza, driving us from story to story and welcoming us into his family. We met his kids, ate with them, and made a lot of good memories together.

Peroshni Govender and Mark Klusener met Wisam in Gaza in 2007 when we were working for the South African Broadcasting Corporation as reporter and producer. Wisam was our cameraman, editor, translator and friend, showing us his home and making us feel very welcome there.

(Wisam at work with Peroshni)

His situation is now desperate. He and his family have moved three times since the war started last October, after coming under bombardment everywhere they go. They're now living in a tent in Rafah, where they have very little to eat or drink, and sleep on a mattress on the floor. His two-month old baby was born into war. His other two children are traumatised, having lived in danger for so long.

(The tent camp where Wisam's family are living)

It will cost $20,000 to arrange the paperwork to get Wisam and his family out of Gaza using the Egyptian travel agency Hala, who've been working with the Israeli authorities to facilitate secure border crossings via Rafah since 2019.

The breakdown of costs is as follows:

$5,000 per adult (x4)

$2,500 per child (x2)

*baby Hatem travels for free

If for any reason they aren't able to get on the list of people to be evacuated (this is coordinated between Hala and the Israeli authorities) or the border is closed and they aren't able to get out the money will be donated to the al Ashi family and other families in Gaza.

Please help us raise this money so we can help evacuate them as soon as possible.

Many thanks,

Marijke Peters (London)

Monique van Hoogstraten (Amsterdam)

Peroshni Govender and Mark Klusener (Istanbul)

(Marijke and Monique in Rafah, 2013)