Aid for Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Ashqar in Jabalia

My name is Erica Flores, I'm an undergraduate student in Connecticut. My friend from high school, Samar, has asked me to help fundraise for her friend from medical school in Gaza due to GoFundMe restrictions on US citizenship and fundraising in the Middle East. All the money raised will be transferred using Western Union to Dr. Al-Ashqar for his journey to Egypt where he will continue studying medicine. In the unfortunate event that this is no longer an option, the money will be refunded through GoFundMe to all donors. Below is his account:

I stand before you as Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Ashqar, a steadfast survivor amidst the tumultuous trials of our time, one of the surviving doctors "up to this moment." From the depths of the northern Gaza Strip, where shadows of peril loom larger than rays of hope, I extend this heartfelt plea.

In the days preceding October 7th, our beloved city of Gaza brimmed with dreams and aspirations, painting the skyline with promises of a brighter tomorrow. Amidst this tapestry of ambition, I found myself at the threshold of my medical journey, serving diligently at Al-Shifa Medical Hospital. With each passing day, I nurtured the dream of mastering my craft, aspiring to carve a path as a skilled surgeon. These were the days of camaraderie, where bonds with fellow healers grew strong and the call to serve our homeland rang clear.

Yet, as the tempest of war swept through Gaza, I clung to the flickering flame of hope, determined to be a beacon of solace amidst the chaos. For six relentless months, I labored as a volunteer, navigating through perilous realms to rescue the wounded and offer solace to the afflicted, exposing myself to danger repeatedly, almost losing my life several times.. Time and again, I brushed shoulders with death, yet pressed on, driven by an unwavering resolve to serve my people. In the face of adversity, my family and I sought sanctuary within the very walls of the hospital that once echoed with healing whispers, now a refuge amidst the storm. Throughout six months, we were displaced from one place to another in search of safety. My family and I sought refuge in the same hospital where I work, under the harshest conditions one can imagine, without food or water. Thus, from being a doctor in the hospital, I became a refugee within it.

Now I remain in the northern Gaza Strip where everything has ended. We suffer from hunger, fear, and our homes are demolished by bombings. Water, electricity, and internet networks are cut off. We move from place to place in search of security. All health centers have been destroyed, my university and medical college have been destroyed, and all training hospitals in my country have been shattered. All my hopes have been shattered.

Now, as the dust settles over the desolate landscape of the northern Gaza Strip, we find ourselves engulfed by the aftermath of destruction. Hunger gnaws at our souls, fear casts its long shadow over our homes, and the echoes of bombings reverberate through the silence. Amidst this turmoil, we traverse the barren wastelands, in search of sanctuary and solace. Our once vibrant healthcare centers lie in ruins, universities and medical colleges reduced to rubble, and the sanctity of our training hospitals shattered by the ravages of war.

My dreams lie scattered amidst the debris, yet within me, a spark of hope flickers, yearning for renewal. I appeal to the humanity in your hearts to support me in obtaining a scholarship to study in one of the medical colleges outside Gaza and cover the necessary travel expenses for that. It is with humility and desperation that I implore the kindness within your hearts to extend a lifeline amidst this sea of despair. Grant me the opportunity to pursue my studies in one of the esteemed medical colleges beyond the confines of Gaza. With your support, may I tread the path towards a future illuminated by promise, a beacon of hope amidst the darkness that shrouds our homeland.