SAVE A FAMILY IN GAZA

After much searching, we believe we have found a way to save friends, a family of 5, currently starving in Gaza. There is now a path to get into Egypt where they can apply for a pre-approved visa to a third country. We have not solidified the 3rd country, but need to have funds available (should all fall through, your donations will be returned). The cost to cross into Egypt is $5,000 per person.

I am adding these sentences because I feel they are important. This family was committed to remaining in Gaza, their homeland. It wasn't until starvation, flooded tents and their little girl getting very ill with no health facilities available, that they began looking for a way to leave. It is their hope and intention to return to their homeland when the carnage ends.

Below are messages from our friend, Youssef (Yaser), over months coming directly from Gaza. If we can save the lives of one family, small as it seems, it offers hope for the 2.3 million people starving and dying in Gaza. Please help at whatever level you can.

Dec. 19, 2023 from Khan Younis, Gaza

I am Yasser Abu Rida. Palestinian nationality and origin. I was born in the city of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip. I live in the village of Khuza’a, which is located east of the city of Khan Yunis. I am now 32 years old. I am married and have three children. Two sons and a daughter (Youssef - Muhammad - Maria). I graduated from the Faculty of Civil Engineering from the Islamic University of Gaza. I used to work in the private sector in contracting companies and also in the non-profit sector such as UNRWA and Catholic Relief. But unfortunately, I was working under the name of a temporary contract for a period of three or four months. I graduated 10 years ago, but I only worked intermittently for 5 years. The level of unemployment and poverty here has exceeded the red lines. During the past year alone, I worked for three months with UNRWA as a site engineer for the Summer School Games. Now, during this crazy war, I am here in the shelter center in the west of the city of Khan Yunis, and my mother, my father, and my unmarried brother live with me in the tent. I also have two married sisters with their children and their husbands, and I also have another married brother with his children and his wife. Total approximately 24 people. Children: 14 children in total. The living situation here is very bad and the reason we are now in real famine. People here need food and also money. Therefore, they stole the aid entering the Gaza Strip and sold it at ridiculous prices that exceeded five times the price. UNRWA here does not provide us with assistance at any shelter center. Only non-potable water and drinking water we buy through some water distributors that are still working but not constantly available. The situation now in the city of Khan Yunis. The Israeli army began its ground operation in a violent manner within 21 days from now. It has now reached the city center and begun bombing Nasser Central Hospital located in the west of the city of Khan Yunis. On a daily basis, I need to provide wood for cooking food, as well as drinking water and secondary-use water for washing clothes and dishes. We also need baby supplies, including milk, Pampers, clothes, and also laundry detergent. After that, I have to leave the shelter and look for food for them. Unfortunately, every movement you make here requires money. At least 24 people need more than $50 a day. Some friends helped me, but the situation we are experiencing here is many times beyond our capacity. The Israeli army is now seeking to displace us to Rafah, which is adjacent to the south of the Gaza Strip. This will require another and more difficult suffering from us in light of the overpopulation there and the prices will double very significantly. My friends, brothers, sisters, and everyone who hears my plea. My family needs your help

MESSAGE FROM A FAMILY IN GAZA

These messages are from my friend, Youssef (Yaser) and his daughter Maria. He also has two young sons, Youssef and Mohammed. Their home outside Khan Younis has been destroyed. They are in their 3rd refugee tent camp in Rafah now. I have received many messages and videos from Youssef in the past 4 months. The messages have gone from hopeful and strong to fearful and desperate. Please help me help them. - Crystal Zevon

From Youssef:

November 23rd: Khan Younis Shelter, Gaza

…I can only say now that we hope that the armistice agreement will be implemented tomorrow morning for a period of four days and then renewed and this war will end. Despite the oppression and pain we are going through now, our lives will be harsh when we return to our homes. Because it will often be partially or completely destroyed, as well as a complete collapse of the electricity and water infrastructure. But our suffering remains in our home or its surroundings.

December 2nd: Khan Younis Refugee Tent Camp, Gaza

The sounds of rockets and shells were terrifying at night. Our life is as follows: During the day we try hard to provide the family and children’s necessities (everything we need we go to buy. Never believe what is said about the entry of aid because it only goes to specific people and is sold in the market). At night we cannot sleep because of the bombing and the sounds. Ambulances and civil defense. I hope friends from your community can help us too. I have 20 people in my family. Most of them are children. The simplest thing we can buy is water for drinking - warm water for bathing - water for washing clothes - water for washing eating utensils - a cup for drinking water that we also buy - garbage bags - and many other requirements. Water, which is supposed to be available. I hope you will share my suffering, my friend, so that a merciful heart may feel for us. There is an Israeli proposal to Europe to send ships to transport residents to European countries

December 23rd: Khan Younis Refugee Tent Camp, Gaza

Hello my friend . I am fine and my family is fine. But Maria has been very ill over the past two days and until now, without responding to treatment, and the reason is the cold weather here in the tent. I am very afraid for her.

January 3rd from Refugee Tent Camp, Rafah, Gaza

I am now in the city of Rafah, near the Egyptian border. There is no positive news here. Our suffering increases here in the sand and cold climate due to the proximity to the sea. The children are in good health now, free of diseases. I hope this continues.

January 11th from Refugee Tent Camp, Rafah, Gaza

Our lives are miserable here, my friend. We have become homeless when in the past we had a home of our own. We used to drink water from the refrigerator without getting tired, and now we run like monsters to get water. We used to have a bathroom to relieve ourselves in safely and easily, and now we suffer from that. We have reached the point of collapse. I hope that we can hold out until the end of this war. Yesterday, I received news from my village that my house was partially demolished, but I do not know the severity of the structural damage. We hope that the situation will remain as it is now and will not get worse, but the Israeli mechanisms withdrew yesterday and now they are back again in my village.