Help Evacuate the Ahmed Family from Gaza

Hello,

My name is Hoda Isak, and I am fundraising to support Haidi Ahmed’s family’s evacuation out of Gaza into Cairo, Egypt. I was introduced to Haidi and her family through her cousin, Iman Ahmed. I met Iman in 2015 while pursuing a BA in Global Studies at the University of Minnesota. At the time, Iman was in graduate school on a USAID scholarship studying MA in Youth Leadership. Although Iman and I no longer reside in Minnesota, we have stayed in contact ever since. It is through her that I’ve witnessed the Ahmed family’s terrifying situation unfold.

As you know, we have been living through terrifying times. Israel has ordered civilians to evacuate to the south in Rafah, and the Ahmed family complied. However, since the invasion of Rafah there are no more safe zones; there haven’t been any real safe zones in Gaza since October 7th, 2023.

Haidi herself is in Egypt and was evacuated through a non-governmental organization (NGO). However, her parents Tahreer and Ihab and sisters Layla and Shadia still remain in Rafah. The Ahmed family are Palestinian civilians who are not involved in the conflict. They have been living through unspeakable atrocities, and they need our support to evacuate into Egypt.

The cost breakdown is as follows:

$40,000 to evacuate 4 civilians (Tahreer, Ihab, Layla, and Shadia) into Egypt

$10,000 for resettlement costs, including living and educational expenses

I will be responsible for the funds and send it to Haidi Ahmed via money transfer, such as Western Union. We humbly ask you to donate what you can and share widely. If you have any questions about this campaign, please do not hesitate to contact me. I’ve included a message from Haidi below. Thank you for your consideration and support.

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Hello,

My name is Haidi Ahmed, and I am a Palestinian from Gaza. As the eldest daughter of my family, I've witnessed the devastating impact of the recent campaign of aggression against Gaza firsthand. We have been displaced from our home in the northern Gaza Strip multiple times in search of safety amidst the chaos and danger.

Currently, my family is living in a small tent in Rafah, struggling to secure the most basic necessities of life such as clean water and food. Our house in the north has suffered significant damage and is uninhabitable. To compound our challenges, my mom lost her job as a special education specialist due to the ongoing conflict. She worked in special education, specifically focusing on children with learning difficulties and autism.

My passion has always been in the arts. I studied English Literature and dream of pursuing a career in theater and contemporary dance. My talents have always been closely tied to art. During my time in Gaza, I worked with deaf and mute youth, helping them express themselves through movement and art. Layla, my middle sister, dreamed of studying accounting and becoming an administrator. She often practiced her organizational skills on us at home. Shadia, the youngest, dreams of studying programming and working in technology.

Despite these adversities, we remain a family committed to education and success. Our ultimate goal is to evacuate from Rafah Gaza, secure scholarships for my sisters to continue their education and rebuild their futures away from the dangers, tragedies, and hardships we face here.

We are reaching out for your support to help us raise $50,000 to cover the costs of evacuation from Gaza to Egypt, completing our studies, and ensuring some semblance of stability and security for our family in Egypt. Your contribution, no matter the size, will make a meaningful difference in our lives and enable us to pursue a brighter future free from the ravages of conflict. Thank you for your kindness, compassion, and support during this challenging time.

Breakdown of funds:

$40,000 for evacuation of 4 members of the Ahmed family.

Tahreer Ahmed: Mom

Ihab Ahmed: Dad

Layla Ahmed: Sister

Shadia Ahmed: Sister

$10,000 will be used for living and educational costs.