Saving Lives: Emergency Evacuation and Rebuilding

January 19th, 2025

Dear Friends,

I’m writing today to update you all on a painful and devastating reality that my family and I are facing, and also to share the new goal I’ve set in our ongoing struggle.

First, I want to express my deepest gratitude to all of you who have supported my family throughout this war. Your strength, kindness, and generosity have been a beacon of hope in our darkest hours. Without your support, we would not have survived the endless trials of the past years.

However, the situation has only grown more heartbreaking.

Initially, I set a goal of [$100.00] to evacuate my family and bring them to safety. Sadly, I must now raise this amount to [$270,000], not just to evacuate, but to rebuild my family’s home once again—something my mother has always dreamed of. The confirmed images of our home’s destruction were devastating to her. Seeing the place we once called home reduced to rubble shattered her spirit. I watched as my mother’s hair turned white, not from wisdom or age, but from the fear, anxiety, and the pain of living a life where the suffering seems endless.

It feels like there’s no corner to hide from this torment.

My family is once again left without a home. This is the second time our home has been destroyed. We’ve already lost so much, but the confirmed images of the wreckage were a breaking point for all of us. My siblings had hoped to stay safe from this war, to find peace in our family’s survival, but this new destruction has crushed us all. The weight of this loss is more than I can bear, and it is even harder knowing that, for at least the next 3-4 months, my siblings will be homeless once again—like so many others in Gaza. This time, the conditions are harsher. The cold of winter, the constant fear, the bombs, and the horrifying reality of living in a tent. It is a nightmare, and it’s a nightmare that never seems to end.

On top of the loss of our home, there’s another tragedy that feels particularly cruel: my father’s olive trees, all of them, were uprooted. None of them survived. They were crushed under the relentless war machine that showed no mercy to anything or anyone. These trees were not just plants to us; they were like children to my father. He cared for them with a tenderness and devotion that was almost familial. It was always so heartwarming to see how connected he was to those trees. Even when my parents would travel, they seemed to miss them, disappointed by their absence. It was as if the trees had their own bond with them.

It’s so painfully ironic now, knowing that these trees, which represented so much hope and continuity for us, have been taken away. I wish they had stayed, just as a sign of hope, a ray of light. Their absence now leaves a space that feels unbearable.

I’ve reached a point where I can only ask: Why? Why is it that every time we stand, we are torn apart again? Why does every effort to rebuild, to survive, get destroyed again and again?

At 42, I’ve dedicated my life to ensuring my parents and family survived the harsh siege and the brutalities of war. I fought to provide them with what little peace was possible amidst the chaos. But now, having started my own family, the war has stolen everything from me. My father, my sister, our family home—twice—and both of my brothers’ apartments. We have lost so much, and yet, through it all, I remain determined to give my mother peace.

Through all the pain and heartbreak, her wish to rebuild and have a home once more remains. I know that, with your continued support, we can make this happen. My resolve to fulfill this is stronger than ever.

I can’t thank you enough for being there for us through this relentless journey. The road ahead is uncertain, but with your help, I believe we can rebuild what has been torn down and bring some peace to my mother in her twilight years.

Please, keep us in your hearts and prayers as we continue this difficult journey. Any help or support, whether financial or emotional, means more to us than words can say.

With all my love and gratitude,

Fida Qishta

January 2024

Dear friends,

I have initiated the urgent evacuation process for my family, including my parents, and your immediate support is crucial to coordinate their safe exit.

My 75-year-old father is battling a severe heart condition, and my mother is grappling with new mobility challenges caused by the destruction of our neighbor's house, a trauma she personally witnessed.

The evacuation costs exceed $7000-$11.000 per person, in addition to the cost of Egypt’s permission to cross the border, the amount includes covering personal pictures, passport renewals, various applications, and forms for all family members. It also includes travel expenses, Rafah crossing fees, and other costs during the exit process. Essential living costs for basic needs like food, water, and rent after exiting the Rafah crossing are also part of the expenses. The costs per person depend on age and family members, totaling 13 family members, including both my parents and siblings.

My aim is to gather the full amount to ensure the safety of everyone. But my top priority is to secure the immediate evacuation of my parents, which leaves me shattered at the thought of the rest of my siblings suffering.

During these past three months, I tragically lost over 50 extended family members. It's not easy to ask people to stay steadfast and resilient when facing the harsh effects of war, brutal winter conditions, and mental breakdowns.

It is devastating to hear their horrific stories, often with the phone connection working only once in 8 to 10 days. This urgent plea is my first call for help for my family. I hope you find it in yourselves to help my family.

Through your contributions to the fund, until evacuation, some of your funds will be used to meet the basic needs of my family, including water, food, and clothing. Additionally, we aspire to extend assistance to other families in our community by providing essential supplies such as food and water."

If you find it challenging to assist my entire family, I urgently appeal for your support for my sister, who owns a clothing store in the Gaza Strip. Recent conflicts and a dire humanitarian crisis have left her store partially damaged. More significantly, countless families escaping the north part of the Gaza Strip, including Jabalia, Beit Hanoun, Gaza, and other cities and villages, are in desperate need.

In the midst of this ongoing crisis, my sister has been selflessly donating clothes and shoes to families forced to flee their homes with nothing but their lives. The situation is dire, particularly for those arriving in the south without adequate clothing to shield them from the harsh cold weather. Families are recounting harrowing tales of escape, underscoring the urgency of our response.

Please share my fundraising letter with your friends. Your support is crucial in helping us reach our goal as soon as possible. Once approved, kindly copy and paste this letter to amplify our plea. Thank you for your assistance.

Dear friends,

I hope this urgent plea for assistance finds you in good health. My name is Fida Qishta, and I am reaching out with a profound and time-sensitive appeal. My family is currently trapped in the perilous circumstances of Gaza, facing the immediate threat of war. The urgency of the situation demands rapid action to facilitate their secure departure, and I am seeking your support to make this critical exit a reality.

Fundraising link

https://www.gofundme.com/f/gaza-crisis-rescue-my-parents-urgent-evacuation

Overview of the Situation:

As the designated recipient, I am compelled to share the gravity of the circumstances my family is facing in Gaza. The region is currently embroiled in conflict, with an escalating risk of violence and danger. The lives of my family members, including my elderly father, children, and siblings, are in imminent peril, and every passing moment heightens the urgency of their need to leave Gaza for a safer environment.

The Urgency of Evacuation:

Immediate Threat of War: The danger is not theoretical; it is a harsh reality. The current war-like situation puts the lives of my family at an unprecedented risk, necessitating an urgent and immediate Evacuation.

Critical Expenses: Your support will directly contribute to covering essential expenses vital for a swift Evacuation. This includes accelerated passport renewals, emergency travel expenses, coordination fees for a swift exit, securing temporary accommodation in Egypt, and ensuring their safe passage through the Rafah Crossing, Transportation, all applications and forms fees.

Your Money at Work:

Accelerated Passport Renewals:

Emergency Travel Expenses:

Coordination Fees for Swift Exit:

Allocating funds to Hala Company for immediate coordination to ensure a secure and expedited exit as well as all Rafah crossing traveling fees.

Secure Temporary Accommodation in Egypt:

Providing for temporary shelter in Egypt as the family awaits further arrangements.

Rafah Crossing Fees and Hala Fees:

Covering the fees associated with crossing the Rafah border and engaging Hala Company for expert assistance.

Urgent Transportations:

Facilitating immediate transportation needs for each family member during this critical period.

Medical Expenses:

Any medical expenses to both of my parents, who are in important need to see doctors in Egypt and get their needed medication.

Why Urgent Support is Crucial:

The escalating danger of war in Gaza leaves my family in a vulnerable state. During these past three months, I tragically lost over 50 extended family members. It's not easy to ask people to stay steadfast and resilient when facing the harsh effects of war, brutal winter conditions, and mental breakdowns. The devastation lies in hearing their horrific stories, often with the phone connection working only once in 8 to 10 days. This urgent plea is my first call for help for my family. I implore you not to disappoint me. I hope you find it in yourselves to help my family.

Your swift support will directly contribute to the urgent implementation of the departure plan, ensuring that my loved ones escape the immediate threat and find refuge in a more stable environment.

Next Steps:

I implore you to consider the urgency of this situation and extend your support. Time is of the essence, and any delay could have severe consequences. I am available for immediate contact and can provide further details or clarification as needed.

Your humanity and generosity can make an immediate difference in the lives of my family members. Thank you for being a lifeline in this critical moment.

Sincerely,

Fida Qishta