Help Sahar & Her Family Survive and Evacuate Gaza

Hi, I'm Lia & I'm organizing this fundraiser for my friends the Shehabs. They're currently trapped in Gaza and have survived a year of death and destruction. I've set up a bank account specifically for this campaign, to keep track of all donations. The funds raised will be transferred to the Shehabs to help them evacuate, and to survive in the meantime. Because the daily cost of living is astronomically high, some of these funds will also be used for basic necessities (e.g., food, medication). Please read the family's story below:

My name is Sahar Shehab. I am 14 years old from Gaza. I ask you for urgent help in surviving to evacuating my family from Gaza to a safe place. We need help, our friends all over the world. We are 8 people: my father Fahed (38 years), my mother Reem (32 years), my sisters Dana (13 years), Mona (9 years), Malak (6 years), my brother Yahya (2 years), and my grandmother Mona (60 years).

My aunt's family (my father's sister) also need to leave with us. My father cannot leave his sister here in this danger and this war. My aunt's family consists of 5 members: my aunt Mona, her husband Muhammad, and their children Othman, Tariq, and Iman. My aunt and her family are besieged in Gaza, just like us, and surrounded by danger. Her daughter, Iman, is an infant, only 5 months old, and was born during the war in very difficult circumstances. My father and my aunt are trying to save our family, get out of Gaza, and live in peace with our family.

We were displaced from our home in Gaza to the southern regions under inhumane conditions. The occupation bombed our house and the gym my father owned in the Gaza area.

To date, my family has been displaced over 15 times, enduring unimaginable hardships along the way. We left to Rafah then to Deir-al-Balah when the invasion there started, then to Nuseirat when Deir-al-Balah was attacked. We were constantly in danger there, narrowly escaping death from the shooting and bombing. We went to Mawasi, and are living in terrible conditions, and under constant threat of death. There are no safe places in Gaza.

Since our home was destroyed we have been living in a tent, and it is very difficult because there is no protection from the weather. Because it's winter now, it's very cold and the tent doesn't provide protection from rain. There is no running water and not enough food. My little sisters and my baby brother have all gotten very sick many times. It's also very, very hard for my parents and my aunt to find baby products for Iman and Yahya. When baby formula and diapers are available, they are very expensive and don't last a long time.

I am asking you for help and asking you to donate so my family can survive in Gaza, until we can evacuate. Your help and donations will give us hope throughout the dark times we live. The money we collect will be allocated to cover the high expenses of my family, providing them temporary shelter, and provide the necessities for me & my family during this difficult period. As we hope to evacuate as well, some of the funds will be used to cover the costs of living in Egypt.

Evacuation Fees and Expenses

Evacuation Permit Fees:

The fee required for each person is $5,400 (USD). Since we are a family of 13, the total amount needed for evacuation permits is: 13 individuals × $5,400 = $70,200.

*About half the funds half already been raised and released to the family in their original GFM (for information about this situation, feel free to email either organizer; hyperlink will take you to original GFM). About $35.5k (USD) remains to be raised.

Expenses:

To ensure that my family’s basic needs are met (now & after evacuation), we need to cover the following expenses (in USD):

$5,000: Living cost per month during the waiting period before the crossing opens, including purchasing a new winter tent and clothing for the children.

$10,000 (x2): Rent in Egypt for 2-3 months (after evac).

$10,000: Basic living expenses for 2-3 months (after evac).

$1,600: Medical and healthcare expenses, including childbirth follow-up care.

$3,500: Fees for GoFundMe.

$7,600: Money transfer fees to Gaza, as the lack of cash requires a high transfer commission of up to 30%.

Total Expenses Required: $117,900 (USD).

Note: total expenses may change. Dependent on when crossing next opens & when minimum funds for evacuation are met.

*Goal will change (currently set to a temporary goal, to meet minimum required for all 13 individuals to evacuate). Dependent on CAD to USD exchange rate.

Your contribution, no matter how big or small, will have a profound impact on my family and provide them with the opportunity to rebuild our lives free from the constant threat of violence and persecution. Every dollar will make sure they have the chance to survive, and eventually find security and the opportunity for a brighter future. Please stand by my side during this time and help me to evacuate my family from Gaza.

I thank you from deeply for your support and understanding in these difficult moments.

Can’t donate? Create a post! Tag or message my father (Fahed) on Instagram and Facebook to help boost my story. Let's get me and my family evacuated as soon as possible. To watch Sahar and Dana's videos, visit Instagram or Facebook

Instagram/ @fahed.shehab52

Facebook/ https://www.facebook.com/fahed.shehab52

Please share this appeal with your friends and consider making a donation.

Thank you my friends.