HELP A FAMILY EVACUATE FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT!

UPDATE (4/16/24): The Hammad family has increased their fundraising goal from $60,000 to $80,000 for the following reasons:

—foreseen costs of medical expenses increase as their conditions, especially Hala’s (vision loss) and Amira’s (cancer and miscarriage), worsen

—anticipated costs of education for the children post-evacuation

—the ongoing exorbitant fees

We deeply thank every person who has contributed so far. It is no exaggeration to say that your funds are saving their lives. ❤️

UPDATE: Tragically, Amira miscarried on April 3, 2024. We ask for prayers for the baby, who has now joined 8 month old Kamel as a martyr in Heaven. We ask for prayers for Amira, and the whole family. The family is devastated, as are those of us who love and support them. Pray for the babies and mothers of Gaza.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C5T92efubjY/?igsh=MWZxcndveHowdmcycg==

Hi, I'm Mariah. I'm in New Jersey, in the US. I am fundraising on behalf of my friend, Bilal Hammad, and his family, because this platform is not supported in their region. Bilal and I met through a mutual aid group.

Bilal and his family are in a TRULY DIRE situation—his recently-miscarried wife Amira has cancer, his daughter Hala is experiencing vision loss from white phosphorus, and all they have to shelter them is a flimsy plastic tent by the sea after being displaced from their destroyed home in Khan Younis City. Tragically, Bilal's 8 month old son was martyred in an airstrike.

Happier times for the Hammad family

Their 8 month old son, Kamel, who was martyred

In Bilal’s words:

"My family's situation is very bad. We are a family of 5. I am displaced with my children and my family as a result of the war and bombing. I am homeless in the city of Rafah. We are living in a very, very difficult situation without food and drink. My children and I are asking for merciful hearts to help us so that we can stay alive. My wife is pregnant and we live in tents in Rafah. My wife also have cancer. We are asking for help of compassionate hearts so that we may remain. We want to evacuate so that we can live a safe and happy life."

Bilal, Hassan, and Hala in front of their plastic tent

The 5 members of the Hammad family trying to flee the violence:

Happy family memories for the Hammad family

They MUST get out of Gaza for their safety NOW. Their fundraising goal of $60,000 (update: now $80,000) reflects the following ways the funds will be needed and spent:

How the funds will be securely transferred:

These funds will be collected into Mariah’s US-based bank account, then distributed to Bilal’s uncles in Egypt. These uncles will then use the funds to register the family at Ya Hala travel agency in Cairo, which will put their names on the evacuation list. Then the family will evacuate through Rafah Crossing. (Update: Bilal’s brother Banan evacuated April 7th, and we are able to transfer the money to him)

Note:

As reported by The Guardian on Jan 8, 2024, Palestinians are being charged up to $5k-$10k per person in order to get on the list and safely cross into Egypt via the Rafah border crossing: http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/jan/08/palestinians-flee-gaza-rafah-egypt-border-bribes-to-brokers

Please don't hesitate to reach out to us with any questions!

Mariah's instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/mariahpariah12?igsh=bnFrOXFsaXBycGV2&utm_source=qr

Bilal’s Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/abohassan7472?igsh=aWM2NWV6c3N5OTBp

Your donation of any size is deeply appreciated. PLEASE SHARE across your platforms and with family/friends. Time is of the essence!