Help my family evacuate Gaza

My name is Milena Marković from Montenegro and I am a Master student of English in Hungary. During my studies I met my dear friend Tasneem for whose family I am raising this fund. This is their story:

Dear compassionate souls,

We are Marwa and Tasneem Awad we’re writing to you after a lot of thought and hesitation, but our hope to save our family’s life gave us the courage to ask you for urgent help in evacuating my family from Gaza to a safe place.

In the midst of horrors of war, my family finds themselves in a harrowing predicament that words can scarcely capture. Despite the previous harsh circumstances of the siege and constant looming war, their lives were still filled with the simple joys of home, education, and dreams for the future, but are now being irrevocably upended by the devastating realities of war. My family has been subjected to a level of suffering that is difficult for many to fathom. Their home, once a sanctuary of love and laughter, now lies in ruins.

Despite their resilience and the unyielding spirit specially of mothers -my mother, my sister and my sister in law- trying to shield their children from the horrors surrounding them, the stark reality remains—they are in urgent need of evacuation. Their current existence, confined to a makeshift tent devoid of basic human necessities, is no life for anyone.

My sister and her husband are doing everything in their power to shield their children from harm. My brother-in-law told me, "I have never been afraid in my life, but now I am afraid for my children's lives." From dawn to dusk, my sister strives to make it through each day with her family intact. I can’t imagine how it feels for my sister to look at her child vaded in the deprivation of his own basic needs while she’s not able to provide him any!

Their suffering unfolds before our eyes. Recently, during a call, I heard one of her children crying out in agony. It turned out he was suffering from gland inflammation caused by drinking contaminated water and the scarcity of nutritious food. Similarly, my niece has contracted hepatitis, a direct result of the same dire conditions.

My brother and his family, too, are enduring their own ordeal, though details are scarce since it is very challenging to get in contact with them due to the power shortages. My two-year-old nephew previously struggled with an undiagnosed skin condition related to his immunity. His situation got worse in the summer and that his mother needed to stay with him in hospital for two months . Plans were made for his treatment in Egypt before October, but the outbreak of war halted these, leaving his condition to worsen. Seeing photos of his affected skin was horrifying. It's a painful thought, knowing his condition could have been treated, if only they had the means to travel for treatment.

Four of my nephews and nieces, are all missing a year of school, a primary stage of their education! A stark symbol of their disrupted lives.

Amidst this darkness, however, there lies a glimmer of hope. The possibility of evacuation presents a beacon of light. Yet, this hope is hindered by financial constraints, a substantial fee that stands as a barrier to their safety. This fee, required for crossing the border into Egypt, is their only passage to being safe.

The company facilitating travel from Gaza to Egypt, Hala company, has offered their paid service since 2019, ensuring secure border crossings from Gaza to Egypt. Despite substantial price hikes in recent months and ongoing fluctuations, this remains the only option for my family to reach safety in Egypt. Not utilising this service would entail subjecting them to further suffering and an increased risk of death amid the worsening circumstances. Nevertheless, we want to start raising funds with the information available.

The funds will be allocated as follows:

Crossing permits to Egypt: The Egyptian government has recently begun formalising a mechanism to allow Palestinians to cross the Rafah border into Egypt. These permits come with enormous fees, and the fixed price, paid to Egyptian officials facilitated by Hala company, is yet to be determined. Nevertheless, we want to start raising funds with the information available.

$5,000 x 4 adults

$2,500 x 6 children

= $35,500

+ Additional transaction fees = total 40 000

Your support, no matter the form it takes, can be the lifeline for my family. This is not just a request for financial assistance; it is a call to uphold the very essence of humanity, to show that in a world often divided, compassion can prevail.

With deepest gratitude and endless hope,

Tasneem and Marwa

p.s.

Since I don't have a bank account in a "gofundme" eligible country, your generous contributions will be safely managed and distributed to my sister's family through the trusted hands of my dear friend, Milena, whose family (living in the UK) have graciously offered their assistance in ensuring that every donation reaches its intended recipients promptly and securely.

Thank you for entrusting us with your kindness and compassion. Together, we can make a difference.