Help fund life-saving insulin for children in Gaza

Since the war in Gaza started I am beside myself.

Years of relentless campaigning for ending the Israeli occupation and oppression of the Palestinians were washed down the drains with the Hamas attack of the 7th of October and with Israel's brutal and ongoing onslaught on civilians in the Gaza strip. People like you and I cannot take anything for granted anymore, least of all - health and life itself!

In my desperation I reached out to my Palestinian friends to ask what can I do?!

An answer came from a friend in the West Bank: Help my nephew in Gaza access insulin.

I remembered when Kareem was diagnosed with Diabetes Type 1 years ago, as a little boy, and how worried his family and friends have been then. Thankfully, he lived and thrived with medication and insulin.

The situation now is very different. There is not enough food in Gaza and without insulin, those with diabetes who survive the Israeli bombardments, the winter weather conditions and the blockade on humanitarian aid will simply die of their illness.

There is no way currently to send insulin pens to Gaza (I tried to do this via medical aid organisations), but Abu-Kareem assured me that insulin pens and strips are still available in pharmacies.

Abu-Kareem pointed me to Haifa Association for Children with Diabetes (see video), in which he and others have been volunteering.

I am trying to raise funds to send to Gaza so that Kareem and other children and young adults with diabetes can treat their chronic illness.

Please help with as small or large donation as you are able! The situation is dire and urgent! The need is great. Your money will be sent to Gaza and may save lives.

I have set a basic goal of £1000 for now but once this has been reached I will increase the goal according to the needs of diabetics in Gaza. If the current situation is anything to judge by, the need for insulin will continue for some time.

Thank you! And Ramadan Mubarak to all who celebrate it in this sad year.