Help Aya escape war in Gaza and rebuild her life

I am Aya Alhaddad, a Palestinian from Gaza who has survived four wars and is hopeful to survive the current ongoing war. I have been serving as an obstetrics/gynecology resident doctor at Alshifa Hospital in Gaza for approximately four years.

I urgently seek your assistance to safeguard my life. The continuous bombings since October 7th, 2023 have rendered every place in Gaza unsafe. I had to evacuate with my family to the southern part of the Gaza Strip, facing dire conditions without electricity, access to clean water, or sufficient food. Until now, we have evacuated five times in our quest for a safer location, yet it seems there is no safe place in the Gaza Strip.

I got engaged in June 2023 in Gaza and my fiancé and I were excited about our plans to marry in November 2023 and embark on a life filled with happiness and achievements together. Unfortunately, all our dreams were shattered when our prospective home in Gaza was bombed and destroyed, leaving us with nothing.

Since November 2023 I have been working at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, striving to ensure safe deliveries and optimal antenatal care for pregnant women. I am one of three obstetricians who decided not to leave the hospital and to keep serving the patients despite the hospital being under siege by military tanks. One of the most difficult situations I have recently faced was performing a post-mortem caesarean section, resulting in the unfortunate loss of the baby.

The only means for my survival, the completion (or most likely redoing) of my specialization in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and rebuilding my life with my fiancé is to exit Gaza through the Rafah crossing point (Gaza-Egypt border). To cross this border, I need to have my name listed on the crossing list (with a paid permit). The coordinators in Egypt, who have the authority to add my name to the list at the border, are now asking for 7500 USD per person! They will not add my name until I can prove that I have the money ready. I have no alternatives, and every penny is crucial. I am grateful for any help you can provide.

Thank you for taking the time to read this message and I would be very grateful if you share this with your network.

Aya's Instagram account