Emergency Evacuation Needed to Save My Family in Gaza

Hi, my name is Camille Testa from Saint Paul and I'm fundraising to evacuate my friend Samah and her family from Gaza. This is her story:

I am Samah from Gaza, and I call on all the free people of the world to help me save my family from the horrors of the genocide we have been enduring since it began. We are a family of five: my husband, our two young daughters, aged 9 years and 2 years, and our infant son who is just 6 months old. He was born in tents under the sounds of drones and warplanes amidst the intense shelling that rains down on us daily.

Due to the significant losses and destruction caused by the occupying forces, my husband is now responsible for his three siblings. One of them had aspirations to study medicine abroad, and another is married with a child. However, like everyone else in Gaza, my husband and I have lost our jobs and are no longer able to support our family as we did before.

Essential goods are scarce and prices are continuously rising, making it difficult to meet everyone’s needs. Additionally, the high costs associated with coordinating the crossing make it challenging to carry out an evacuation if the borders are reopened.

We are from northern Gaza, but we have been displaced repeatedly. We were forced to leave our beautiful home, the result of years of hard work and sacrifices, where we lived the happiest moments of our lives. But in a single moment, all of that turned into rubble. As you know, the destruction in Jabalia camp is massive; only debris, dust, and the smell of death remain.

We first moved to Khan Younis and then to Rafah, but after the invasion, we had to return to Khan Younis again. Every time we are displaced, we are told that the new camp will be safe, but that has never been true. The bombing does not stop wherever we go, and sometimes we are brutally targeted while walking long distances to escape from previous attacks. Brutal death lurks around every corner and street in Gaza, and every moment could literally be our last.

Airstrikes and snipers are not the only threats; living in tents is a real nightmare. We are deprived of the most basic necessities of life, such as running water, electricity, and proper toilets. We face daily risks to obtain food, which is often insufficient, and we have to wait for long periods to get untreated water. Bathing has become a rare luxury, and baby formula and diapers are rarely available and at exorbitant prices. Every time I go out in search of food, I know I might return empty-handed or not return at all, but I have no choice but to keep going for the sake of our children. The situation is getting worse with each passing day.

In winter, we endured the biting cold inside the tent, and now we are facing the intense summer heat. We have been exposed to heavy rains, and now we live drenched in sweat all the time. Our children, especially the infant, suffered from recurring respiratory infections during the winter, leading to health complications due to lack of proper treatment. Currently, they are suffering from rashes and severe itching due to the high temperatures and the unsanitary environment, with a lack of clean water and the spread of diseases, bacteria, and viruses through mosquitoes and other insects.

Our children are at risk of polio, which has been found in the sewage water flooding Gaza. Vaccines, medical facilities, and adequate medications are not available, and humanitarian aid is obstructed. I was forced to give birth in a field hospital without anesthesia or medical supplies, and when we needed medical care afterward, we struggled to reach a crowded and poorly equipped hospital. The sense of helplessness I have felt since the beginning of the war has never left me. My only hope is my faith in God's mercy and my trust in the generosity of those who stand with us.

Given that the Israeli government continues to thwart any attempts for a permanent ceasefire and the situation is worsening day by day, my family's survival remains at risk. Therefore, once the Rafah crossing reopens, leaving Gaza will not be an option but a necessity. To ensure a safe transfer to Egypt, we need to raise enough funds to secure the evacuation process.

Evacuation Fees and Expenses

Evacuation Permit Fees:

The fee required for each person is $5,400. Since we are a family of 10, the total amount needed for evacuation permits is: 10 individuals × $5,400 = $54,000.

Other Expenses:

To carry out the evacuation and ensure that my family’s basic needs are met, we need to cover the following expenses:

$1,500 : Cost of passports.

$5,000 : Rent in Egypt for 6 months.

$5,200 : Basic living expenses for 6 months.

$1,600 : Medical and healthcare expenses, including childbirth and follow-up care.

$3,500 : Fees for GoFundMe.

$5,400 : Daily living costs during the waiting period before the crossing opens, including purchasing a new winter tent and clothing for the children.

$7,600 : Money transfer fees to Gaza, as the lack of cash requires a high transfer commission of up to 30%.

$2,700 : Tuition fees for continuing education abroad.

Total Expenses Required: $86,500.

Despite everything we have been through and the challenges that the future holds, we still believe in humanity. However, we are facing a significant shortage of time and resources. Your steadfast support is what keeps us from surrendering to despair. We sincerely ask you to donate any amount you can and to share our story and the fundraising campaign link widely across social media platforms and any other available channels. We are deeply grateful for any assistance you can provide.