Help the Abokallob family Survive and Evacuate

Hello, my name is Abigial Johnson. I’m an American living in California. I was introduced to the Abokallob family via their extended family. The Abokallob family are seven people—a father, mother, three children, and six-month-old twins—living in the inappropriately named “safe zone” al-Mawasi, Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip. Al-Mawasi has, unfortunately, been subject to several deadly bombings since being designated a “safe zone.” This is their fourth temporary home since being displaced from their house in the north of Gaza.

The Abokallob family live in a nylon tent among many other densely packed makeshift shelters housing displaced families.

The father, Muhammad, 34, worked as an electrician to support his family. Due to the intense and targeted Israeli bombing of electrical infrastructure in Gaza, there is no work for him now.

The mother, Noor, 30 worked in the home raising their children, but for over a year now her children have not been to school or even to a normal doctor’s appointment.

Their three eldest children, 9-year-old Abdul, 7-year old Dana, and 4-year-old Adam have missed over a year of crucial early-life education. And their infant twins are undernourished and cannot receive simple medical evaluations or inoculations due to the strain on Gaza’s healthcare system.

The Abokallob family’s house and most of their belongings were destroyed by an Israeli airstrike. They have very little and every day conditions in the Gaza Strip worsen. The family is collecting donations to buy basic necessities during this difficult time. Infant milk formula and diapers which they need for the twins are prohibitively expensive. Food is also very expensive.

The family is also collecting money to evacuate Gaza if the Rafah border crossing reopens. It cost approximately $5000 per adult and $3000 per child to evacuate last May, the last time the Rafah crossing was open. Therefore, it will cost $25,000 for the family to evacuate. The additional $25,000 of the $50,000 total will be used to purchase basic needs while they are still in Gaza, and eventually to replace their belongings and help them get back on their feet once they evacuate to Egypt.

A portion of the funds will be used to pay fees, duties, and taxes where necessary to transfer the funds to the family.