Urgent: Please help me to evacuate my dear parents and siblings from Gaza.

My name is Abeer, I am a Palestinian Canadian living in London, Ontario. I am reaching out to you in a time of desperate need.

I never thought I would have to ask for help like this, but my family’s safety is on the line, and I am running out of options.

In the midst of the ongoing crisis, my family finds themselves trapped, grappling with the harrowing realities of war each passing day. The thought of their suffering is deeply distressing; they are not mere statistics but cherished individuals facing unimaginable fear and uncertainty.

There are eight members in my immediate family: my father, Samir, age 58, my mother, Mona, age 50, my sisters Samar (28), Sahr (26), Sahar (22) and Halla, (19). I have two brothers, Ahmed, (16), and Mohammed, 12 years old.

Our house was heavily destroyed due to the bombing and my family were forced to evacuate multiple times, moving from the north to the south of Gaza until they sought refuge in Rafah city where they were received at the home of a relative. We are so grateful for their hospitality even though they were already hosting other people who had also lost their homes. Unfortunately, our relative will not be able to host my family any longer and finding available and affordable rental apartments is nearly impossible due to the mass displacement, soaring prices, and our limited funds.

I must get my family out of Gaza to a place where they can breathe without the constant threat of violence. On January 9, 2024, Canada announced a new special measure allowing extended family members to reunite with their Canadian relatives as temporary residents. I'm grateful that my family has been pre-approved for this program, but unfortunately, they are still not able to cross the Rafah border into Egypt to complete the last steps and get their final visas so they can travel to safety in Canada.

The financial burden to ensure my family's safe passage weighs heavily on me and my husband. Just to pay the fees Egypt charges to cross the border, we require a total of approximately $37,500 USD based on $5,000 USD to cover the fees for each family member 16 years or older, and $2,500 USD per child under 16.

Additionally, we need approximately $10,000 CAD to cover flight tickets and temporary accommodation expenses in Egypt while awaiting the completion of their paperwork.

If it is not possible for them to make it through the border, my family will use this money to survive in Gaza and repair their house.

The profile photo you see was taken in March, 2023 when I visited them with my 4 year old son, after being away from them for 10 years.

Below is a photo of my youngest sister, Halla, who dreamed of becoming a nurse. She was very excited to start her first term just a month before the war, which shattered all her dreams with the destruction of her university.

These are some photos of my son Ryan with my family showing how attached he became to all of them especially my youngest brother Mohammed (my son calls him Mody).

It breaks my heart every time my son tells me that he wants to play with my siblings. I can't believe that I got the chance to say the last GOODBYE to my childhood family house, neighborhood (the Beach Camp), and my beautiful city all now destroyed.

So, please help me save my family before it could also be last GOODBYE for them, I believe that there is a glimmer of hope amidst this darkness. With your support and generous donations, we can be reunited again, and my family can find hope and opportunities beyond the devastation.

With all my gratitude,

Abeer Alhalis