Ahmad's Family in Gaza

Update: With your amazing generosity we met our initial target of 16,700!!! We have raised the target to cover education costs as Ahmad's children will not be eligible to attend public school in Egypt. Thank you!!!

Hi friends,

This is a fundraiser to support our dear friend Ahmad—an aid worker from Gaza—whose wife and three young kids are displaced, on their own, in harsh conditions in Rafah. This is a fundraiser to reunite a family, and bring children to safety.

On October 5, Ahmad made a regular work trip from Gaza to Jordan. On October 7 the borders were shut and he has been stuck outside, unable to return, watching the war unfold from afar. In November, as the war pushed southward through Gaza, Ahmad’s family was displaced from their apartment in Gaza City and they traveled on foot to Rafah. In midwinter, an Israeli airstrike blew out the windows of the shelter they share with 20 other families. Conditions are very difficult now, and Ahmad is seeking to get his family to safety in Egypt and hopefully reunite after five months apart.

We are now trying to raise $16,700. This will cover the exorbitant border crossing fees ($12,500) and the first six months in Egypt ($4,200) for rent and food and everything in life that doesn’t fit in a suitcase.

These are the basics of the story, which we’ve sketched only in outline for safety and privacy. If you are interested to contribute and have questions, I am more than happy to talk on the phone any time. Call me!

We are hoping to raise this money by the end of Ramadan, and to keep the momentum going we will be hosting a series of online events with fascinating speakers about Gazan arts & literature and about the humanitarian situation. Our friend Philip is even hosting an event in San Francisco where he's swimming to Alcatraz---heck yes, let's do everything!

(A few extra details to meet GoFundMe's guidelines... My name is Matthew Hall. I am from Arlington, Va. and currently living in Amman, Jordan where I work for an international humanitarian organization. Ahmad works in the same field; we met through work and became close friends. The funds raised will be transferred directly from me to Ahmad.)