My name is Angela Gomez, and I reside in Arizona, USA. I am reaching out with a heartfelt request for support on behalf of our dear friends, the Abu Daqqa family, who have managed to escape the war-torn region of Gaza, Palestine, albeit partially. Here is their story.

This wonderful family of nine consists of Photojournalist Mohammed, Shahd, and their seven children: Dana, 14; Alma, 13; Tina, 12; Maria, 9; and the twins, Adi and Amr, both 4, along with their youngest, Tim, who is just 3. Like many families in Gaza, they were abruptly forced from their home, leaving behind everything except the clothes they were wearing. Tragically, the area they believed to be safe was later struck by an airstrike, resulting in the loss of Shahd's sister and aunt. In distinct moments of sorrow, Mohammed also experienced the heartbreaking loss of his cherished older brother Photojournalist Samer Abu Daqqa.

After that Mohammed took it upon himself to ensure his family's safety, spending every last dollar on exorbitant application fees to facilitate their escape, which amounted to $5,000 for adults and $2,500 for children, totaling $22,000. Unfortunately, this sum did not cover the additional costs associated with his evacuation.

As of now, Mohammed remains in Gaza, and the current cost for his evacuation would be around $15,000, contingent upon the reopening of the Rafah crossing, which was destroyed in May 2024. There is no clear timeline for when it might reopen for those who can afford to leave safely.

At this moment, the family has lost everything in Gaza. Their beloved home has been reduced to rubble, along with their vehicles and cherished pets. All the familiar comforts and loved ones have been taken from them. Meanwhile, Shahd is left to care for their seven children alone, waiting for the day they can be reunited. The situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, and we are nearing the one-year mark of this crisis. While we remain hopeful for Mohammed's safe passage, the harsh reality is that no one can leave, and safety feels increasingly elusive.

Given these circumstances, Shahd wishes to relocate closer to family who can help her raise their seven children.

Below is a detailed overview of the expenses involved in relocating all nine family members. It’s important to remember that they have lost everything they owned and will be starting anew.

$15,000 - Evacuation for Mohammed

$2,700 - Flights for nine to Belgium

$700 - Luggage

$9,000 - Winter clothing for nine, as the average temperature in Belgium is 44⁰ degrees.

$14,000 - Rent for a home for at least a year while they work on finding employment and schools for the children

$30,000 - Miscellaneous costs, including beds, furniture, food, and daily essentials for survival.

If you feel moved to contribute but are unable to do so, please consider sharing this fundraiser with others in your community who may be able to help. Thank you for your kindness and support!