Rescuing my family from Gaza’s war zone to Belgium

Ramzi Salem is organizing this fundraiser.

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Dear Supporters,

My name is Ramzi Salem, and I urgently need your help.

I am 28 years old working and residing in Brussels, Belgium, for the past five years. While I have built a life here, my heart remains with my family – my parents and 6 siblings – who are trapped in the midst of the ongoing crisis in northern Gaza, Palestine.

Since the tragic events unfolded in Gaza on October 7, 2023, my family has endured unimaginable suffering. With their home reduced to rubble by relentless bombings, they now seek refuge in Al-Shifa Hospital, facing daily threats to their lives. Tragically, over 200 of my relatives, including 2 uncles and more than 20 cousins, have already lost their lives in this conflict.

The anguish of not being able to protect my loved ones weighs heavily on me. Every day brings a haunting uncertainty, fearing that the next call will deliver devastating news of more lives lost. The thought of my youngest sister Rahaf facing such horrors alone is unbearable.

The situation in Gaza is dire. My family is in constant danger, facing threats from bombings, starvation, and the lack of essential supplies like food, water, and humanitarian aid. Their safety is at risk every moment, and time is running out.

They now face constant danger, with death looming worryingly due to bombing, starvation, and lack of essential supplies like food, clean water, and humanitarian aid in the devastated area.

I cannot accurately describe what I feel, because there are no words to describe and express my feelings and the life I have been living since 07/10/2023. I live in a state of severe and chronic anxiety and fear. I can't sleep, or concentrate on my work, or eat well, or take care of my health. My life has been reduced significantly, my body has become thinner and I look weaker and more emaciated than before. What increases my suffering is the loss of communication with my family for long periods, as there is no network coverage, so it isn't easy to communicate with them and monitor them. As a result, I live in a state of tension, confusion, lack of concentration and sleep. I went to see a psychiatrist, but nothing could help me except save my family from this massacre and disaster.

Evacuation is critical: it is now a question of life and death for my loved ones. I am begging from the bottom of my heart for anyone who can help me – please get my family out of Gaza before it is too late. If it were your wife and children trapped under bombing as supplies dwindle, I know you would move heaven and earth to save them.

Here's the plan:

1. Evacuation to Egypt: The initial step involves evacuating my family to Egypt, with a cost of $5000 per person for crossing the border. This totals $40,000 for my parents and six siblings.

2. Stay in Egypt: They will stay in Egypt for approximately five months while awaiting the humanitarian visa application process. Estimated living expenses for this period amount to $10,000.

3. Travel to Belgium: Finally, they will travel to Belgium, where I hope to secure assistance with transportation fees through various NGOs in Belgium.

I am unable to return to Gaza myself due to my refugee status in Belgium, but Belgium could potentially grant asylum to my family, offering them a chance at safety and stability. Even a temporary visa allowing them to stay here until the situation improves could be a lifeline.

I humbly appeal to your compassion and generosity during this humanitarian crisis. Please help me bring my family to safety before we suffer another devastating loss.

Your support means the world to me, and I am deeply grateful for any assistance, no matter how small. May God protect your loved ones and families, as you extend your hand to help mine.

Feel free to reach out if you have questions or want to talk!

With heartfelt gratitude,

Ramzi Salem

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The following image shows my two brothers and my sister as they attempt to fill containers with rainwater due to the absence of clean drinking water (My heart shattered into a thousand pieces when I saw it)