Areej’s Story of Survival and Hope
My name is Areej Abu Nasser, I am 26 years old, and I come from Jabalia Camp in northern Gaza. My family and I have endured unimaginable pain and loss.
In December 2023, during the height of the war, my father, our only provider and the pillar of our family, was killed in an airstrike. A shell struck near our home, and shrapnel hit his chest right in front of our eyes. He was bleeding heavily for three hours, and we could do nothing to save him. The healthcare system had collapsed, and no one could reach us to help. I cannot forget that day my father died before our eyes, helpless, and I still see it in my mind every day. His death shattered our world and left us struggling to survive in every sense.
Only three months later, another tragedy struck when my beloved brother Ahmed, who had special needs, died from starvation and malnutrition. Losing him broke my heart in ways words cannot describe. He was gentle, loving, and dependent on us for everything but in Gaza, even the most basic necessities became impossible to access.
During the war, we suffered from extreme famine in northern Gaza. There were times when we had nothing to eat except animal feed, and we slept for nights hungry, barely surviving.
After these losses, our home was completely destroyed, leaving us with nothing but memories. Today, my mother, my three sisters, and my only remaining brother, and I live in a fragile tent made of cloth. Every day is a struggle against hunger, heat, and despair, and the tent itself causes skin diseases due to accumulated moisture and dirt, which worsens our suffering.
We have been displaced more than twenty times during this war, moving from north Gaza to the west and south, desperately seeking safety. Each time we moved, it cost us a lot of money. Transportation is expensive, food is scarce, and everything is overpriced. The constant displacement has exhausted us physically and mentally, leaving scars that may never heal.
My siblings face their own challenges. My sister Maram is attending university, and she needs financial support and reliable internet to continue her studies. My sister Amal is in school, and she urgently needs school supplies, clothes, and other essentials to keep learning and stay healthy.
For me, the suffering goes beyond daily survival. I have a serious vision problem, a worsening eye deviation that causes pain and threatens my ability to see. Before the war, I underwent surgery in Gaza to correct it, but the operation failed and made my condition worse. Doctors now say I urgently need another surgery outside Gaza to prevent permanent vision loss. But without income, a home, or medical access, it feels impossible.
We are raising £10,000 to give my family a chance to survive and rebuild:
Emergency Shelter and Essentials: Durable tents, blankets, and hygiene kits to protect my family from harsh weather and the skin diseases caused by fragile tents.
Food and Clean Water: Steady supplies of flour, canned food, and safe drinking water to fight hunger and malnutrition.
Education Support: Financial help for Maram’s university studies and Amal’s school needs, including internet, stationery, and clothes.
Life-Saving Eye Surgery: Medical treatment, travel costs, and post-surgery care for my vision.
Rebuilding and Recovery: To help us secure a small, safe place to live and start again once the war ends.
Every contribution, no matter how small, brings us closer to safety, healing, and hope. From the heart of Gaza, I thank you for listening to our story and for standing with us in our darkest time.
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