Help Samer & Nagham and Children in their Journey to Safety!

Hello - I am asking for your support to help my good friend and former colleague, Samer Mohsen, to evacuate his family from Gaza to safety in Egypt. For more than 17 years now, Samer has dedicated his life to building a more resilient community in Gaza through his work leading Mercy Corps’ humanitarian programs. His deep-rooted commitment to aiding others has defined his life. Working together with Samer for 8 years in Gaza was my distinct honor.

Our collaboration began in 2007 when he was just starting out in his humanitarian service as a trained civil engineer. Samer’s lifelong commitment to humanitarian work in Gaza has always been driven by a desire to make a difference. Both Samer and wife, Nagham, are deeply connected to their families in Gaza and have worked to build a life for their family there. Yet, the safety and future of their four children must now take precedence. The thought of leaving Gaza is painful but the prospect of a safer and more hopeful life for their children compels them now to chart a different course.

Samer & Andy (Gaza 2016)

Living in Gaza, where his family's history stretches back generations, Samer worked to contribute to building a better future for the next generation of Palestinians. His deep commitment to staying in Gaza persisted despite experiences of serious conflict in 2006, 2008/9, 2012, 2014, 2018 and 2021. His bravery leading Mercy Corps’ humanitarian assistance to impacted families amidst active conflict over the years is nothing short of heroic. The brutality of the current conflict which began in October 2023 has forced Samer to reconsider what lies ahead for his family - a heartbreaking decision to seek safety for his family outside of Gaza, without knowing for certain that they will ever be able to return home or see loved ones again.

Faced with the dire situation in Rafah, where his family is among over 1.3 million people now huddling there in fear of further escalation, they are confronted with this gut-wrenching decision. They hope for a future where they can return to Gaza, not as victims of conflict, but as contributors to its recovery and growth. But first, Samer and his family need your help to reach safety across the border in Egypt.

About Samer and Nagham Mohsen

Samer and his wife, Nagham, are descendents of Palestinian refugees originating from the former village of Barbara, located 11 miles (17km) north of the Gaza Strip - in present day Ashkelon, Israel.

In the height of conflict, they are raising four children. Samer shares what his family means to him:

Behind every resilient family is a pillar of strength, and for the Mohsen family, that pillar is Nagham. As the descendant of refugees, Nagham carries a legacy of resilience and perseverance. Her passion for literature and poetry not only brings tranquility and wisdom to their home but also connects her to the stories of her own family. Professionally, she shines as a Computer Engineer, leading programming teams and offering digital consulting services to startups in the Gulf region.

We have four beautiful children. Essam, 15 years old, shows passion for football and his academic excellence in mathematics reveal a young man of diverse interests and talents, dreaming of following in his parents' footsteps to become an engineer. Mariam, 10 years old, conveys a vibrant social energy and demonstrates leadership beyond her years which she hopes to one day take into a career in engineering, just like her parents. Her ability to invent new games and bring joy to her peers in the shelter where they currently live showcases not just her creativity but her resilience in the face of adversity. Zaina, 8 years old, shows artistic talent and sensitivity, especially in her thoughtful selection of colors in her drawings. Zaina's questions about the future and her dreams of becoming a doctor speak to her desire for peace. Mohammed, 5 years old, is fascinated by superheroes. His imaginative play and the joy he finds in simple moments serve as a beacon of light for his family, reminding them of the purity and potential of childhood, even amidst violence.

What’s next for Samer and Nagham and their kids?

Like many in Gaza, their family has been displaced multiple times in a desperate quest for safety. With each move — from Gaza City and the apartment building they lived in with extended family and they now believe has been destroyed,

A few "blocks" from home

to the Middle Area of Gaza (twice), to their current refuge in Rafah — they've sought to escape the danger posed by bombings and the looming threat of ground operations. This constant state of displacement has taken a toll, not just materially but emotionally, stripping away the sense of security and normalcy that Samer has fought so hard to provide for his family and others in his community.

In the year leading up to the current war, Samer and Nagham were in the middle of constructing their “forever home” just south of Gaza City on land they had purchased with their life savings, and with help from personal loans taken from friends and family.

This campaign is a call for solidarity with Samer, Nagham and their children. It's an opportunity to support a man (and his family) who has spent his life supporting others, now in his hour of need.

Your contribution will help provide Samer, Nagham and their kids with safe passage from Gaza to Egypt, and means to find temporary stability, well-being and education for the children during these tumultuous times. With your help, Samer, together with Nagham, hope to one day bring their family back to a peaceful and more hopeful Gaza to continue in rebuilding the community they love so dearly.

How You Can Help:

Donate: Your help means a lot. Even a little bit can make a big difference for the Samer’s family. Helping Samer and Nagham’s family means giving them safe passage from Gaza and a chance to start over in a safe place. What your contribution supports:

Share: Tell others about this GoFundMe campaign. The more people know, the more help the family can get.

Follow Us: We'll keep you updated on how the family is doing and how your support is helping them.