Reuniting Hearts: A Call for Compassion

In the midst of a crisis that we never imagined, our families in Gaza are enduring unimaginable hardships, facing a reality none of us thought we'd witness. Lives have been lost, and the threat to our loved ones persists.

Driven by the deep desire to ensure the safety of our families, we've secured visa approvals under the Tourist Visa Scheme, providing a lifeline to bring immediate family members from Gaza to Perth. This avenue is currently the only path available for repatriation from Gaza to Australia.

However, we find ourselves in a challenging situation. There's no humanitarian crisis fund in place to cover the substantial financial burdens associated with visa applications, transportation, and staying in Perth. The responsibility of financing these crucial steps to bring our families to safety in Perth falls entirely on us, their sponsors.

In response to this urgent need, we've initiated a fundraising campaign, reaching out to our friends, family, and community for support in this critical mission to reunite our families.

Our goal is to sponsor my dad, mum, my sister and her family, my brother and his family, and my sister-in-law and her family for their stay in Perth. Our immediate family is comprised of five family units. The financial costs are substantial, and with no humanitarian response in sight, we are left with no choice but to turn to our community for assistance.

Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to reuniting our families and providing them with the safety and security they desperately need. Your support will make a significant difference in the lives of those who are enduring unimaginable challenges.

Let's come together as a community, showing compassion and solidarity, to bring hope and relief to those who need it the most. Join us in this heartfelt endeavour to reunite hearts and bring our families to safety in Perth.

The estimated costs we are fundraising for per person include:

Visa application fees: $192

Passport fees: $300

Document translation: $200

The total estimated costs leading up to their arrival in Perth are $692 per person and $19,376 for all 28 family members.

Additionally, as they are not permitted to work under the tourist visa, we estimate the costs of each family’s stay in Perth for six months per family, which include:

minimum living costs $24,000 ($1,000 per week)

personal effects: $1,500

international health insurance $1,400

This adds a minimum of $26,900 per family for their six-month stay—a staggering additional total cost of $134,500.

While we attempt to raise these funds in order to provide some hope and immediate relief for our families, we continue to advocate for an immediate and lasting ceasefire and a humanitarian crisis scheme to support all Palestinians in Gaza.

Any surplus funds will be donated to UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.

Your support gives us hope

Ahmed and the family