ONLY WAY OUT OF GAZA FOR THIS FAMILY

I'm reaching out to my treasured friend circle and beyond for vital funds to get my dear friend Mahmoud's family across the Rafa border through Egypt to Australia. They have ‘re-verified’ Australian visas but cannot wait in the likelihood the Australian Government will add more names at the Rafah border and its proving a futile option and opportunity is diminishing fast. Now Australian families with Gazan relatives must provide the financial costs to exit. Such movements of innocent citizens in times of conflict should be a smooth and affordable process but this is not the case, it is expensive, dangerous and requires diplomacy and unrelenting effort. Go Fund Me has heavily vetted this campaign for its authenticity and approved it.

I met Mahmoud a few years ago he was fundraising to support his sister Dr Mona, a leading neuroscientist neurosurgeon at Al Shifa hospital in Gaza. He has since personally funded her and her family out of Gaza as she was at high risk. She has lost over 230 colleagues at Al Shifa hospital since leaving. I have bonded closely with his family and witnessed their deep sense of humility and humanity despite knowing what the rest of his family in Gaza face every minute of every day.

Mahmoud Kaskeen who was born and raised in Gaza lived a life I am only starting to appreciate was difficult at the best of times. Witnessing his father and older brother murdered and himself narrowly escaping the same fate at the age of 6. His mother bought up 6 highly educated children on her own which was impressive under the occupation. He moved to Australia 7 years ago. He holds a PHD in engineering, was in the Australian army and lives in Sydney with his English wife Zubia a nutritionist and their two young daughters 5 and 3years.

Since the war of October, he has worked tirelessly to support exhausted parents and their traumatized children who have been lucky enough to find safe passage here during this conflict. They come with nothing and rely heavily on their families and community. For these reasons we are starting a charity together to resource and provide supports (Gaza Australian Program). However, due to the imminent ground assault in Rafah, it is time for him to turn his attention to his own family. The urgency to get his two brothers Mohanad and Mozer, their wives Eslam and Fulla and children out of harm’s way has escalated exponentially and gets more treacherous every day.

I have so much to say of Mahmoud a man of integrity and wisdom, honour, and selflessness, and I know the organisation we are starting (Gaza Australian Program) will provide further support to newly arriving Gazan’s.

Cost includes border crossings which is managed by one Egyptian tourist agency, accommodation in Egypt and then flights to Australia. A percentage of fundraising is kept by Go Fund Me. Mahmoud and I are happy to respond to any direct questions relating to costs and process.

On behalf of the Kaskeem family who are In gratitude for your consideration at this time. Kristina, Sydney.

Mahmoud, myself and nephew Mohamed who exited Rafah with support of the Australian government 6 weeks ago. He is now thriving but desperately worries for his family who he hopes will join him.