A Father's Plea: Help Save My Family

My name is Youssef Helles, 42 years old. In 2019, I left Gaza in search of a better life for my family. I arrived in Belgium, hoping to secure a future for my wife and our five children, the youngest of whom, Zain, was born after I left. I've never seen him.

Since October 7, our lives have been turned upside down. The situation in Gaza has become unbearable. My family was forced to flee our home on Al-Nasr Street after receiving threats from the Israeli army. Under a hail of bullets and continuous shelling, my wife and children walked 8 kilometers along Salah al-Din Street to escape to southern Gaza. I can still hear the screams of my five-year-old son Zain: “Get us out of here, Dad. We are dying.”

Their journey through escape routes was a harrowing experience. My children have witnessed unimaginable atrocities: bodies lying in the streets, homes reduced to rubble, and the constant fear of being targeted. They saw death around every corner, and their innocent eyes were distorted forever. Their souls, once filled with joy and laughter, were now burdened by the heavy burden of shock and fear.

They initially found shelter in an UNRWA school in Khan Yunis, but it quickly became unsafe. They were instructed to move to Rafah, where they now live in a makeshift tent next to a wall, with the earth as their bed and the sky as their cover, lacking basic necessities such as medicine, water and food.

Recently, the situation in Rafah worsened, forcing my family to flee again, this time to the beach in Deir al-Balah. They are now without any way to survive. I do everything I can to support them from afar, but the fear of losing them haunts me, especially after I lost many of my relatives in Gaza.

Escaping Gaza comes at a high cost. Each adult needs 5,000 euros, and each child needs 2,500 euros to cross the Rafah border into Egypt. This is beyond my capabilities.

I appeal to all compassionate hearts: please help me evacuate my wife and children from Gaza. Any contribution, no matter how small, can make a difference and save their lives. Or restore their lives normally and build their future

Thank you from my heart,

1- Relocation and resettlement expenses: Covering the costs of moving from Gaza and resettlement in a safe and stable environment.

2- Housing and facilities: Ensuring that they have a safe and stable home in their new location.

3- Food and basic necessities: Providing daily necessities for Youssef’s family

4- Education: Covering school fees, supplies and other educational expenses for children to ensure their continued education.

5- Health care: Access to medical care and necessary treatments, especially after exposure to such trauma.

6- Legal and administrative support: Assistance with the legal and administrative processes involved in their transfer and resettlement.

7- Emotional Support: Resources for counseling and mental health support to help Youssef and his family cope with their loss and adjust to their new lives.

Every contribution, no matter how small, will have a huge impact on the lives of Joseph and his family. By coming together as a community, we can help them rebuild their lives and find hope for the future.



From pain

Youssef Helles