Help my family leave Gaza and arrive Canada

Hi,

My name is Mai and my husband is Ahmed, a Canadian- Palestinian living in Alberta, Canada. I’m reaching out for support to help my family members get out of Gaza and arrive to Canada. I have a family of 18 people (11 adults, 7 kids).

The current situation with my family is as follows:

• Our family lives in Gaza City and they were displaced under fire from Rimal neighborhood to the south of Gaza strip, and my husband's family stuck in Gaza city in the middle of the battle zone.

• My family had their homes bombed and partially destroyed by tank shells.

• Now, they have no homes and no work.

• No place is safe in the Gaza Strip, my husband's cousin and his son were killed by an airstrike in Raffah city which was labeled as a safe zone.

• They hardly find access to food. The drinking water does not exist, so they are forced to consume the non-dirking water.

• All my nieces and nephews are suffering from several diseases related to pollution, and lack of water and food. At the same time, they don’t have any access to the health care system as the system is destroyed.

• The kids have no schools because the schools are all destroyed.

After months of pleas from Canadians with extended family members in the war zone, Immigration Canadian Minister Marc Miller announced the new temporary visa program for people in the Gaza Strip who have Canadian relatives. Miller called the situation in Gaza “unlivable,” he expects to have a temporary visa program up and running by Jan. 9, 2024. He underscored the challenges of getting out of the besieged Palestinian territory.

Moreover, the Canadian Government will not have any financial assistance for evacuees or their families in Canada. It means we have to sponsor them and pay all the travel expenses, in addition to the settlement in Canada.

The expenses of travel mean:

• Application fee for 18 people

• The stay in Cairo for 3-4 weeks waiting for the paperwork.

• Flight tickets for 18 people from Cairo to Canada.

• The settlement expenses (for the first 2 months till they find jobs) includes:

• Rent

• Furniture

• Winter gear to adapt to the weather

• Health coverage

• Living cost

The circumstances, the peril, and the adversity have surpassed any expectations. Time is incredibly sensitive, implying that every moment exacts a toll in terms of blood and lives.

I appreciate your willingness to listen to the plight of my family and me. Palestinian voices are often muted, posing a challenge in raising awareness about our situation and seeking support. A secure, supportive, and non-judgmental community is crucial for us.

At this juncture, and on behalf of my family, I earnestly and profoundly implore all benevolent individuals to assist them in escaping from what is arguably the most hazardous place globally and embarking on a new life. In the Book of Life, we each assume distinct roles, and your role in supporting my family could mark a pivotal turning point. Will you contribute to helping them script a more optimistic chapter?

Once again, I express my gratitude for your support and understanding during this demanding period. Your contribution signifies a fresh beginning for my family, embodying both compassion and solidarity for justice and the preservation of human lives.

With sincere appreciation,

Mai and Ahmed