**March Update**

Due to the remarkable commitment of D's Canadian friends, D and 13 members of her family were able to exit Gaza at the end of last week and, to everyone's huge relief, are for the moment safe in Cairo. Four members of the family were unable to leave with them, but it is hoped that it will be possible to get them out very soon.

We are using the funds raised here on Just Giving to support the family with accommodation, food and other essentials. Their future is currently very uncertain indeed and, as they've had just about everything taken from them, they will need support for some time to come. We hope that with the wonderful generosity of friends, family and strangers, we will be able to do this.

Thank you

**Urgent Appeal**

Hi everyone,

We’re writing to ask if you can help our dear friend D who lives in Gaza along with her siblings, parents and 4 year old nephew and niece.

The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. People are living in perpetual fear and danger. They have lost homes, jobs, loved ones. As of the 2nd March, we know that more than 30,000 Gazans have been killed since 7th October including over 12,300 children. More than 71,300 people have been wounded, and over 8,000 reported missing.

(Gaza )

D and her family fled their home in Al Maghazi several weeks ago following long nights of terrifying airstrikes which claimed many lives in their neighbourhood. They now know that their home has since been destroyed.

(Entrance to Maghazi before 7th October 2023)

(Entrance to Maghazi after 7th October 2023)

They are currently in Rafah, alongside the Egyptian border. They have followed all of Israel’s evacuation guidance, but it has become clear that there is no safety, no place of refuge anywhere in Gaza. Israel recently announced plans for a ground invasion of Rafah. This will only bring further death, injury destruction, fear and trauma for D and her family, and for the million plus Gazans currently displaced there, living in appalling conditions, many in tents.

(Rafah)

They have already endured more horror and heartache than anyone ever should. They’ve lost multiple loved ones - family members, friends and neighbours.

We know it can be easy for those of us lucky enough to be living outside war zones to feel detached from what is happening.. For D and more than two million Gazan’s there can be no forgetting. Their daily reality for more than 4 months has been one of constant fear; knowing death could come at any moment from a bomb, a missile, a shell, a sniper’s bullet. D and her family are ordinary, innocent people, thrown into a nightmare in which life simply couldn’t be any more precarious. Just like all of us, they seek nothing more than the chance of a peaceful life.

(Photos of some of D’s family during happier times)

D also has friends in Canada who are fundraising to secure passage for them out of Gaza and into Egypt, and are also pressing the Canadian government to grant them visas. Here in the UK we are focusing on raising funds to support the costs of accommodation, onward travel and visa applications when the family gets to Egypt, prior to re-settlement elsewhere. The family, who number 15 adults and 2 young children, have no remaining money of their own. They are currently trying to survive on one person’s partial and sporadic salary, which isn’t even sufficient to cover basic food costs.

We‘re aware that however hard we try it may not be possible for the family to escape from Gaza. The situation at the border is volatile and uncertain.

In consideration of the unpredictability of the situation, we are trying to plan for other scenarios too.

If D and her family can't leave Gaza for any reason, your donations will still be used to provide D and her family with vital support where they most need it. If the situation should unexpectedly stabilise, they will need immediate help with food and basic living costs and, in time, to rebuild their lives and home. We will endeavour to update these pages regularly so that you can see how funds are being, or are about to be, spent.

So, we’re reaching out to you, asking for your help at this critical time. We hope you can join us. and so our efforts may not be successful.

We‘re hugely grateful for any contribution; no matter the size. If you’d be willing to share our campaign any further, that would also be wonderful.

Moreover, at a time when D and her family are overwhelmed by their terrifying predicament, your generosity brings immense comfort and encouragement; just the knowledge that kind-hearted strangers are extending support is incredibly heartening for them. Our combined efforts offer more than a potential lifeline, they also send a profound message to D and her family during these darkest of times, that humanity is still out there, that there is still some hope.

With deep gratitude

Cathy and Emma

Please note:

Refunds will not be possible once funds have been distributed to D and her family.

In the event of D and her family members' deaths prior to the distribution of funds, all donations will be refunded.

In the event of one or more of D's family surviving, all funds will be distributed to the survivors.

All funds raised will be distributed to D and her family even if the target amount is not reached

In the event the target amount is exceeded, additional funds will also be distributed to D and her family, with 20% of the excess being donated to Medical Aid for Palestinians - a UK based charity.

Donations are subject to processing costs of 2.9% + 25p which are applied to each donation. This covers standard card processing charges.

JustGiving offer supporters the chance to ‘tip’ JustGiving, but it's not compulsory. Donors can adjust or remove the tip as preferred during the donation process.

For D and her family’s safety we have refrained from including full names

For any questions please don't hesitate to contact fundraisers