Help my family leave Gaza and arrive Canada

Hi,

My name is Shaymaa, a Canadian- Palestinian woman living in Ontario Canada. I’m reaching out for support to help my family members get out of Gaza and arrive in Canada. My family has witnessed the death of more than 50 people of my cousins in front of their eyes. I have a family of 13 people (7 adults, 6 kids). The current situation with my family is as follows:

• My family lives in Gaza City and they were displaced under fire on October 13 with nothing with them.

• They have been forced to leave the city heading to the south where they have no one or nowhere to stay.

• My family had their homes completely bombed and destroyed.

• My family has a family business, such as olive pressing mills. They have three locations; all of the three locations have been destroyed completely; so, they exhaustively lost their income resource.

• Now, they have no homes and no work. They are on the street under fire and bombardments.

• No place is safe in the Gaza Strip. They hardly find access to food. The drinking water does not exist, so they are forced to consume the non-dirking water.

• All my nieces and nephews are suffering from several diseases related to pollution, and lack of water and food. At the same time, they don’t have any access to the health care system as the system is destroyed.

• The kids have no schools because the schools are all destroyed.

After months of pleas from Canadians with extended family members in the war zone, Immigration Canadian Minister Marc Miller announced the new temporary visa program for people in the Gaza Strip who have Canadian relatives. Miller called the situation in Gaza “unlivable,” he expects to have a temporary visa program up and running by Jan. 9, 2024. He underscored the challenges of getting out of the besieged Palestinian territory. Mr. Miller said that Canada has no guarantees from Israel, Hamas, or Egypt that extended family members on Canada's list will be able to leave.

Moreover, the Canadian Government will not have any financial assistance for evacuees or their families in Canada. It means that my family will have to pay all the travel expenses, in addition to the settlement in Canada on their own.

The expenses of travel mean:

• Application fee for 13 people

• Expenses of leaving Gaza in case Canada will not be able to put the names on the evacuation list of Rafah crossing. The people in Gaza have been asked to pay $7000 per person regardless the age, to be allowed out of Gaza.

• The stay in Cairo for 3-4 weeks waiting for the paperwork.

• Flight tickets for 13 people from Cairo to Canada.

The settlement expenses (for the first 2 months till they find jobs) means:

• Rent

• Furniture

• Winter gear to adapt to the weather

• Health coverage

• Living cost

The situation, the danger, and the hardship are beyond any anticipation. Time is extremely sensitive, which means that time costs blood and lives.

Thank you for your openness to hearing about the situation of my family and me. Palestinian voices are often silenced, making it challenging to raise awareness about our situation and seek support. A safe, supportive, judgment-free community is vital for us.

At this moment; and on behave of my family, I am sincerely and deeply asking all kind people to help them get out of the most dangerous place in the world and start a new life. In the Book of Life, we all play different roles. Your role in supporting my family could be the turning point. Will you help them write a brighter chapter?

Thank you again for your support and understanding during this challenging time. Your contribution means a new life for my family. Also, it means compassion and solidarity for justice and preserving human lives.

Keen gratitude,

Shaymaa