Help Little Gaza Philippines: Secure Safe Shelter

An official statement from our team (October 2024):

"Istorya has provided the allocated funds to the individuals we’ve been in contact with, who are the 11 families that make up Little Gaza at present. It is now at their discretion to determine how these funds are distributed among the families in need. These funds are not considered back pay, and no portion will be given to any families that are not currently under their care. We trust that the resources will be used responsibly to support those in need."

Thank you all for your support.

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Hello! We're Istorya, a Las Vegas-based pop-up restaurant dedicated to celebrating Filipino culture through food. We are organizing a fundraiser to support Little Gaza, a community in Don Antonio, Quezon City, Philippines, that has become home to Filipino-Palestinian families repatriated from Gaza.

Little Gaza has sheltered about 14 Filipino-Palestinian refugee families, totaling 64 individuals, who arrived in the Philippines between November 2023 and February 2024 after fleeing the ongoing crisis in Gaza. These families were repatriated by the Philippine government under dire circumstances but have since received no government support. They have relied entirely on the generosity of the local community.

To raise funds for their basic needs, these resilient families have been hosting pop-up dinners, offering home-cooked Palestinian meals like Maqluba, Qidreh, Musakhan rolls, and Layali Lubnan. Despite their best efforts, the income generated from these meals is not enough to cover their living expenses, including the rent for their current shelter.

Currently, these families face an urgent crisis. The lease on their current shelter expires on September 15, 2024, and they need immediate financial assistance to secure a new home. Without this support, the families still in need will lose their housing, further exacerbating their already challenging situation.

Our goal is to raise 280,000 PHP (approximately $5,000 USD) to cover their rent and secure safe housing for the families that are still in need. This approach ensures that the funds are used where they are most needed and that we remain clear and transparent with our intentions.

Please note this fundraiser is strictly for humanitarian support and not for any armed conflict efforts. Your donations will directly contribute to securing housing and providing essential services for these families in need.

If you have any questions about Little Gaza or how the funds will be used, please feel free to reach out. We are committed to full transparency and will provide regular updates on how the funds are being spent and the impact they are making.

Thank you for your compassion and generosity.

Photos by Raffy Lerma

Frequently Asked Questions, responses by Kamilah Marohombsar Dimaporo Manala-o

What challenges have the refugees faced in their host country - the Philippines?

“Number one: the government not taking care of them. They have been here since November and still most of them cannot work because they don’t have working visas. That’s one of their biggest struggle on top of everything.”

What are the specific needs of individuals and families in Little Gaza right now? (legal, housing, food, etc.)

“1. Visa status: which we have people helping with now.

2. HOUSING. Funds to continue their rent for another six months to give them time to pick themselves up after losing EVERYTHING: their homes, their land, their schools, their jobs, and even loved ones.”

Why is fundraising important for the refugees of Little Gaza?

“Because they are not able to bring in enough income or any income at all to be able to pay for their rent/ house/ shelter. So if we don’t get to come up with funds soon then we will have to let go of Little Gaza and the families will literally be homeless. And this is after and on top of losing everything and starting from lost.”

What events has Little Gaza held in the past?

“Bazaars. Bazaars to raise awareness of what is happening at Palestine. Awareness that there are refugees that came from Gaza who need our help. And a bazaar for the families to sell their food and goods to have extra income.”