Mayo refugee in heartfelt appeal to help evacuate her family from Gaza

A young mother living in direct provision in Mayo with her two children has issued a heartfelt appeal to the public to help evacuate her family from the Gaza strip and be reunited with her.

In her Go Fund Me appeal, Salma said she is a Palestinian living in Westport.

She outlined: "My family is currently trapped in the midst of the devastating conflict in Gaza, and every passing day brings increased danger and uncertainty.

"The situation has become dire, and our only hope for safety lies in escaping this war-torn region and reuniting with me in Ireland.

"I was living in Gaza, and I lived through all the wars that Gaza witnessed.

"Then I got married and moved to live in Ukraine, where the war began in 2022 in Ukraine, which forced us to leave and travel to Ireland.

"Here, we found love, safety, help, and good and great people.

"My family consists of my parents, siblings, and elderly relatives, all of whom are struggling to survive amidst the chaos and violence.

"They dream of a future free from fear, where they can live in peace and rebuild their lives.

"However, the journey to safety is fraught with obstacles, and we can not do it alone.

"I created this page in an attempt to raise money for my family, who is currently suffering in Gaza due to the ongoing devastating war.

"The war in Gaza has been going on for 147 days now and the children, women and men are suffering from bombing, destruction, hunger, poverty, and lack of water, electricity, and health care.

"My mother was recovered from under the rubble and is currently suffering.

"She is 75 years old. She was injured in her legs, face, shoulders, and arms, and the shrapnel is still inside her body. She has lost her sense of hearing.

My father and brother suffer from heart disease. My father had open-heart surgery and suffers from severe coldness in his lower extremities. My brother had a pacemaker installed before the war.

"They walked more than 40 kilometers on foot, with one backpack each, when they were displaced from their home in northern Gaza to Khan Yunis in the south, after their homes were destroyed, and all their possessions were leveled to the ground.

"They are now living in tents and struggling to find food and clean water. When the war ends, they will have no place to return home.

"They were bombed five times, forcing them to flee to a safe place each time. But every time they are bombed and lose their luggage and the food they have left

"They left their homes in northern Gaza with only one backpack each, as the area had become too unsafe to remain.

"Their homes were destroyed, and all their possessions razed to the ground. When the war is over, they will have nowhere to return home.

"I am reaching out to you, my extended community, in a desperate attempt to raise funds to facilitate my family's escape from Gaza.

"Your contributions will cover the expenses associated with their journey to safety, including transportation, accommodation, and necessary documentation.

"Additionally, your generosity will help us navigate the complex legal processes involved in seeking asylum and resettlement in Ireland.

"Every donation, no matter how small, brings us one step closer to reuniting my family and providing them with the security and stability they so desperately need.

"Your support will not only save lives but also restore hope and dignity to those who have suffered unimaginable hardship.

"I understand that times are tough for everyone, but I urge you to dig deep and give what you can.

"Together, we can make a difference and ensure that my family escapes the horrors of war and finds refuge in a land of peace and opportunity.

"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kindness, compassion, and generosity."