No words can express the horror of the man-made humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza. Already being one of the most densely populated places on earth, and having been under a brutal blockade for over 16 years, over 70% of inhabitants being refugees, with over half of the population being under the age of 18 years - the strangulation of Gaza’s economy pre October 7th had left over 1.2 million people ‘food insecure’, and over 80% being reliant upon humanitarian aid.

UPDATE (22/03/2024) - Famine is imminent in Gaza, with the entire population (as reported by the IPC - Integrated Food Security Phase Classification ), that’s 2.23 million people facing high levels of acute food insecurity; 1.1 million (half of Gaza) facing catastrophic food insecurity. Ongoing devastating and unprecedented escalation of hostilities has left at least 30,000 Palestinians dead, with children and women making up over 60% of those killed. The situation is beyond critical, with over 71,000 people injured, 2 million people displaced, majority of health care facilities destroyed, with severely limited access to food, clean water, medicine or electricity. With the collapse of the sanitation system, the harsh winter rains will bring added misery, disease and death to those attempting to seek shelter in makeshift accommodation or out in the open braving the cold temperatures. The vulnerability and torment of 2.2 million besieged Palestinians has been further compounded by stifling the supplies of life saving aid deliveries, falling desperately short, a fraction of what is required.

As a team of 4 family physicians (GPs), fully self-funded and with the desire to raise much needed funds, we have planned a challenging fundraising trek in Nepal, in collaboration with Ummah Welfare Trust (UK). Our trek is the Annapurna Himalayan Trek for Gaza: 2-10th of February 2024, and spans 80 kilometres, peaking at Thorong La ( the highest mountain pass in the world that connects the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Ranges - home to the 10th & 7th highest mountains in the world respectively) with an elevation of 5,416 metres (17,769 feet). Day 7 is summit day - the toughest day of the trek, looking at somewhere between 9 & 12 hours of hiking, a testing relentless slog uphill traversing the Thorong La, with temperatures around minus 25 degree Celsius where the 'effective' oxygen level is 10.5% (or half of what it is at sea level). But the day isn't over! We then descend a whopping knee-crunching 1700m down to Muktinath (elevation 3700 metres), located along the world's deepest gorge to reach our rest point.

UPDATE (29/02/2024) - Alhamdullilah with the blessings of Allah SWT we completed our trek successfully - summiting at Thorong La , Annapurna on Thursday 8th Feb at 10am! - Our besieged brothers & sisters in Gaza will need our sustained support and our fundraising page in collaboration with Ummah Welfare Trust UWT(charity no. 1000851), will remain open until after Ramadan In sha Allah

Ummah Welfare Trust (UWT - UK charity no.1000851), is a UK based international relief charity founded in 2001. With an established base in Gaza for many years, they are well placed to launch an emergency appeal - as of 21st February 2024, 2.5 million litres of water has been distributed with 29 relief containers sent from Egypt - delivery included 38,888 food boxes, 24,667 families given food vouchers, 27,440 hygiene packs, 8628 baby milk tins, 6800 cooked meals - UWT has delivered over £3.8 million of relief aid (food and medical supplies) so far since the current escalation of hostilities, with more relief containers en route from their relief container programme within Egypt.

Prophet Muhammad (upon him be peace) said -

“DO NOT SHOW LETHARGY OR NEGLIGENCE IN GIVING ALMS AND CHARITY TILL YOUR LAST BREATH” (BUKHARI & MUSLIM)

The human suffering in besieged Gaza, calls upon our collective humanity to help save the people of Palestine.

Ummah Welfare Trust 100% donations policy - UWT will utilize 100% of donations received towards their project.

All donations are ZAKAH, SADAQAH and LILLAH eligible - simply state your intention in the message box.

UPDATE (22/03/2024) - Alhamdullilah, having exceeded our initial target milestone of £25,000 through your heartfelt donations (Jazaak Allahu khayran), and having surpassed £50,000, we have moved our target to the next milestone of £75,000. In sha Allah we hope to raise well beyond this figure with your continuing generous donations. Our fundraising page will remain open beyond Ramadan.

GIVE HOPE TO THE PEOPLE OF GAZA WHO DESPERATELY NEED YOUR LIFESAVING DONATIONS - Jazaak Allahu khayran

Your continuing kind support is greatly appreciated.

Dr Asif Masood Malik

Dr Fiaz Choudhary

Dr Saqib Mughal

Dr Tabraiz Hayat