survival crowdfunding
what's the price of a human life?
Estimated reading time: 19 minutesEscaping Palestine, especially Gaza, comes with a hefty price tag, ranging from $5000 to $10,000 per person.
For most Gazans, struggling with high poverty and unemployment rates, these amounts are almost impossible to afford, even when it’s to buy their own safety.
No amount of money should ever be worth more than a human life. Yet, this is the reality in Palestine. It's happening right now, and likely will for months to come.
![Members of the Palestinian civil defence recover a body from the rubble of a building after it was hit in an Israeli strike in the Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza on 1 June 2024 [OMAR AL-QATTAA/AFP via Getty Images]](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5ad9a583-314c-491c-8316-f566649c3696_1200x800.jpeg "Members of the Palestinian civil defence recover a body from the rubble of a building after it was hit in an Israeli strike in the Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza on 1 June 2024 [OMAR AL-QATTAA/AFP via Getty Images]")
1. Every warm body, measured by cold cash.
As deadly Israeli bombardments and severe shortages of basic utilities persist, an increasing number of Palestinians are desperately seeking a way out—provided they have the necessary documents, the necessary connections, and most importantly, the money.
This precarious escape demands individuals pay thousands of dollars and steer through a maze of scammers and misinformation to secure a spot on the list of those approved to exit via the Rafah crossing into Egypt.
The Rafah border, situated at the southern tip of the Gaza Strip, is the only land crossing that leads out of Gaza without entering Israel, instead opening into Egypt’s Sinai Desert, a heavily militarized zone.
Since Israel's blockade in 2007, Rafah has become the main route for Gazans seeking to connect with the outside world, as crossings controlled by Israel are often shut or nearly impossible to pass through.
Crossing into Egypt, however, has always been fraught with difficulties. Human rights organizations have long documented the numerous bureaucratic challenges Palestinians face, such as prolonged waits for visa approvals and sudden denials that can delay travel by months or even years. Additionally, border closures happen sporadically, and Palestinians often face harsh treatment from border officials.
Since the conflict began, the Rafah crossing has been largely inaccessible due to an Egyptian-Israeli blockade focused on Hamas. Only a few groups - foreign passport holders, their dependents, the severely injured, the sick, and their companions - have been allowed to leave.
Despite this, an alternative system allows some Gazans to pay Egyptian brokers to secure a spot on the exit list, which is, in this case, a matter of life and death.
For years, a network of brokers based in Cairo has been assisting Palestinians in leaving Gaza, operating in the vicinity of the Rafah border. This activity predates the current conflict. Previously, prices for their services were around $500 per person. However, since the onset of the conflict, these prices have surged dramatically, increasing by ten-, twenty-, or even thirty-fold. People were told they could leave sooner if they could even pay more than that amount.
Mohannad Sabry, an expert on the Sinai Peninsula and author of Sinai: Egypt’s Linchpin, Gaza’s Lifeline, Israel’s Nightmare, told the Guardian that the brokers “target the most vulnerable people”.
“If a family has a member who is injured or sick and they can’t wait, those are the perfect victims; they can squeeze any amount, and the family has to come up with the money. It’s a complete racket.” - Mohanad Sabry
To gather the necessary funds for crossing the border, many individuals in Gaza turned to crowdfunding platforms such as GoFundMe. More trustworthy coordinators like travel agencies used to exclusively serve Palestinians with immediate family members holding foreign passports and only managed to open for all Palestinians this January. Even then, they are overwhelmed by the sheer number of requests.
Payments are often made in cash, occasionally facilitated by intermediaries situated in Europe or the US. Social media pages dedicated to updates from the Rafah crossing are inundated with posts from Palestinians pleading for assistance in securing a spot on the exit list.
Only a small number of Palestinians have managed to leave Gaza via the Rafah border crossing.
As per the UN, a staggering 85% of Gaza's population has now been displaced. With Israeli air and ground assaults driving them out of central and northern areas, most people are crowded into the southern city of Rafah.
The majority of Gazans rely on the black market as their sole recourse. Tales of families attempting to flee being swindled out of substantial sums circulated widely, leading many to approach the black market with caution.
Despite the risks and uncertainties, increasing numbers of individuals persist in raising funds to flee, recognizing it as perhaps their sole chance for survival.
2. the great price for escape
a. a crowdfunding campaign is the easier part
The initial hurdle lies in determining the cost of departure. According to fundraising account holders, the most common rate stands at $6,000 per person, facilitating departure within 72 hours. Alternatively, some individuals aim to raise funds towards the higher target of $12,000 per person, which purportedly guarantees an exit within 24 hours, according to the Guardian.
A standard family in Palestine will cost tens of thousands of dollars just to get out, let alone to rebuild their business and sustain themselves.
In late January, travel agencies opened applications to all Palestinians. However, shortly thereafter, Israel's announcement of a planned ground offensive on Rafah triggered a rush of people seeking to raise money to cover the escalating fees. Yet, this proved to be a daunting task.
Most travel agencies and intermediaries insist on payment exclusively in U.S. dollars, usually in cash. Moreover, fundraising platform regulations often mandate a bank account from the U.S. or Europe to initiate a campaign. GoFundMe, probably the most popular crowdfunding site on the Internet, only operates in 19 countries.
So, crowdfunding has become a crucial lifeline - the only ticket away from death.
Many of the crowdfunding efforts are spearheaded by friends and relatives living abroad, who are in horror watching Israeli bombardments claim entire families and lay entire neighborhoods to waste. As depressing as the matter is, these situations represent just the more fortunate tip of the iceberg, as the majority of Palestinians lack such connections.
Crowdfunding efforts for the Gaza evacuation will be managed by representatives, such as friends or relatives. They need to organize campaigns on GoFundMe or similar sites, share their stories with the public, and validate them to garner the necessary attention and support.
Through the sharing of personal stories and real-life experiences, these campaigns strive to humanize the crisis, enabling donors to forge a profound connection with the individuals they are supporting. Rather than being confronted with abstract statistics reported in the news, donors are confronted with the humanity of those affected by the crisis.
Dear friends and people with a heart for humanitarian aid...
It is with a heavy heart that I turn to you today, after a long struggle with my thoughts and after tireless work to help many different families in need in Gaza. It is difficult for me, but the plight of my own family now forces me to ask for your support in evacuating my family from Gaza.
Help, even if it's just a small contribution. Share my campaign so we can get there quickly before it's too late...
Shortly before the outbreak of the recent conflict in Gaza, I came to Germany to pursue my dream of specializing in medicine. My name is Motaz, a 27-year-old doctor, born in Gaza/Palestine, who now lives his life in Germany. Due to the bureaucratic hurdles (specialist examinations in the medical field), it has not yet been possible for me to work as a doctor in Germany and to offer my family sufficient financial support or to cover the costs of their evacuation and the cost of rebuilding our store. I left behind my family, consisting of seven people, including my mother, my siblings and my father, who ran our family business, a furniture store. This business was our only source of income that enabled us to live a secure life.
Since October 7th we have not only lost our business but also our home. My family is forced to live in extremely difficult conditions and has fled to the south of Gaza, where they have now had to seek refuge in a tent.
With a broken heart and the heavy burden of this responsibility, I have decided to start this campaign to enable the evacuation of my family to start a new life elsewhere.
Every contribution, big or small, can make a huge difference. Your generous donations will be used directly to cover evacuation costs and rebuild our family business.
On behalf of my family and I, I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support and solidarity during this difficult time.
With kind regards,
Motaz and family
This is a message written by Motaz, a Palestinian-born doctor living in Germany, on their GoFundMe page. Their GoFundMe has received more than 3.2k donations, with more than €47,000 raised. However, this is still not enough to grant his family tickets away from the Gaza Strip, away from the uncertainty of death hanging above their heads.
These stories serve as poignant reminders that the individuals enduring these hardships are real people, each with their own fears, uncertainties, hopes, and dreams. And they’re suffering the fate no one deserves to be suffering.
Despite the sporadic internet connectivity across the territory, these messages manage to find their way out. Many are circulated widely, sparking a wave of online solidarity from individuals worldwide, all rallying to contribute.
These narratives, often brimming with personal anecdotes and real-life experiences, aim to evoke empathy and spur action. Once the essence of the campaign is captured, organizers leverage the power of social media to amplify their message.
Platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok serve as crucial channels for sharing compelling visuals, engaging videos, and impactful hashtags, resonating with users globally.
However, according to the Washington Post, Meta has announced restrictions on political and social issue-related content. YouTube has also adjusted its algorithms to minimize the visibility of this content and discourage engagement with extremist figures. Creators on X have faced bans or restrictions following Musk's takeover when posting political content.
Additionally, TikTok faces potential bans from the U.S. government and frequently removes creators' accounts for posting about political issues, particularly if the content violates platform guidelines.
Collaborations with social media influencers and endorsements from celebrities further amplify the cause, creating waves of empathy and mobilization.
However, it’s getting harder and harder.
As the number of online fundraisers surged, several international groups emerged to gather and amplify these campaigns. Operation Olive Branch originated from an idea sparked in the comments section of a TikTok video in early February. It rapidly amassed over 400,000 followers on TikTok.
Operated entirely by volunteers, Operation Olive Branch solicits submissions for fundraisers to showcase. They meticulously vet these campaigns by directly engaging with families, posing verifying questions, and scrutinizing their social media presence to confirm their Gaza residency. They also monitor suspected fraudulent fundraisers.
As of late April, Operation Olive Branch had listed 820 fundraisers.
Fundraising events, whether virtual or in-person, offer dynamic ways for people to get involved, from heartfelt concerts to spirited auctions and creative challenges. Matching donations from generous corporations or philanthropists can double the impact, inspiring more people to give. By utilizing multiple crowdfunding platforms, organizers ensure that the donation process is seamless and accessible to all.
Press releases and media coverage bring the campaign into the public eye, while grassroots efforts, like local volunteers and flyers, keep the momentum strong on the ground.
Then comes the greater challenge of getting money to the people in need.
b. no smooth way out of genocide
Despite the rising popularity of crowdfunding at this time, many campaigns are still underfunded. Even when they meet their goals, Palestinians face far more hurdles in leaving Gaza than just meeting a GoFundMe goal. That does not guarantee you now have the money in your hands.
Since long ago, people worldwide have turned to GoFundMe, a platform deeply embedded in mutual aid and charitable endeavors. GoFundMe campaigns have collectively raised an astounding $30 billion, supporting diverse causes ranging from wildfire relief and emergency medical bills to gender-affirming healthcare and small business assistance.
However, fundraiser organizers for the Gaza evacuation are encountering what they perceive as excessive moderation, hindering aid efforts. Inconsistent policies have left both organizers and donors feeling anxious, confused, and frustrated.
Several organizers have received identical form emails from the platform, referring to "the crisis unfolding in the Middle East." These emails demand additional information and documentation, a requirement that has left many organizers baffled. This added red tape is particularly confusing for organizers who have previously run GoFundMe campaigns for various causes without encountering such obstacles.
Per their policy, while fundraisers are under review by GoFundMe, Gaza-related campaigns will still be visible and open to donations - another point that has caused confusion and unease. Typically, GoFundMe hides campaigns that are being reviewed and turns off the ability for the public to donate.
GoFundMe has refused to answer the Verge for reasons related to this change.
An issue arises from GoFundMe's limited operational scope despite its global reach. The platform operates exclusively in a select few countries, meaning that individuals creating fundraisers and those able to withdraw funds directly from GoFundMe must be based in one of the 19 designated countries, which does not include Egypt, Isreal and Palestine territories.
As a result, funds raised for beneficiaries located outside of these 19 countries must follow a cumbersome process. They are initially transferred to the creator of the fundraiser, who must then facilitate passing the funds to the intended beneficiaries outside of the platform.
According to BBC, multiple users raising money to aid people in Gaza have complained about having their accounts frozen. "People are literally trying to escape death," one New Jersey woman told the BBC. "It's just mind-blowing that every single corner we turn there's a new obstacle."
After successfully raising $36,000, she lamented missing an opportunity to include her cousin’s family on the list. This setback occurred when the company froze her account for several days in early February, requesting additional information.
She expressed frustration, stating that this was the first time she had encountered such a request in her decade-long experience using the platform, and she perceived it as “discriminatory”.
Many individuals shared similar experiences of encountering delays, with several noting that they had to resort to legal threats before receiving a response.
However, even after the funds are processed, the next challenge arises: transferring these tens of thousands of dollars into Gaza. Typically, this involves delivering the funds to the coordinator as a cash payment in U.S. dollars. Yet, acquiring American currency in Egypt proves to be challenging due to the high demand posed to the country amidst the crisis.
According to the Palestinian ambassador to Cairo, an estimated 80,000 to 100,000 Palestinians have crossed into Egypt since the onset of the war. However, over a million more remain densely packed into sprawling refugee camps near the Rafah gate, highlighting the immense humanitarian needs in the region.
In the devastated territory, there are few wire services like Western Union remaining, and the lines to access them stretch for days. To circumvent this, some individuals have turned to cryptocurrency exchanges, while others have relied on PayPal accounts registered elsewhere, as the company does not offer services to individuals in Gaza or the occupied West Bank.
However, the most common method involves wiring the money to someone outside of Gaza—a relative or friend in Europe—who then withdraws the cash and travels to Egypt, by themselves. There, they wait in separate, days-long lines at the offices of Hala Travel in Cairo, an agency that facilitates travel between Egypt and Gaza. Footage from outside the Hala offices depicts crowds thronging the streets as people anxiously await their turn.
With so much demand, there is now a backlog to enter Egypt, even for those who pay additional fees to expedite their paperwork. In recent weeks, so many people have been waiting more than a month after submitting paperwork and paying in cash to Hala, the most popular travel agency. Not that they have any other chances, as their loved ones’ names have yet to appear on Egypt’s daily list of those approved to cross.
After going through all of these challenges, the final step is to check for approval to cross the border through various channels. One common method is to monitor official announcements and updates from government agencies, such as the Gaza Ministry of Foreign Affairs. These updates are typically shared on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, providing lists of approved names for crossing the border.
Additionally, individuals may rely on information provided by travel agencies or intermediaries involved in facilitating border crossings. However, the process can be challenging and uncertain, with delays and obstacles often encountered along the way.
People whose names appear on the official list must leave on the same day. However, due to spotty WiFi service and rolling blackouts, some people miss their window to exit and have to repeat the entire process mentioned above, including crowdfunding and paying again.
More than 1.5 million people are in Rafah, most of whom have fled there to escape the fighting, but only a slim minority have connections to people abroad who can help, a really dark reality.
3. the one who governs won’t help
Hamas, the governing Palestinian group in Gaza responsible for launching attacks on civilians in southern Israel that sparked the current conflict, has accused various entities of exploiting Gazans by charging exorbitant fees to facilitate their travel.
Egypt is not responsible for the catastrophic situation in Gaza, nor does it want that responsibility.
Egypt, a significant player in regional negotiations concerning Gaza, has long resisted opening the Rafah crossing. Cairo fears that an influx of millions of people into the neighboring Sinai Peninsula could pose a security risk for the region. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has also expressed concerns that a mass exodus of refugees from Gaza might establish a precedent for displacing Palestinians from the West Bank into Jordan.
Egypt's Foreign Minister, Sameh Shoukry, informed Sky News that Egypt is investigating these allegations. He stated that Egypt is prepared to take the necessary measures to restrict and immediately eliminate such exploitation, though he did not provide specific details.
In January, Diaa Rashwan, the head of Egypt's State Information Service, vehemently refuted allegations concerning the collection of extra fees from travelers from Gaza. He also dismissed claims suggesting that an unofficial entity was collecting fees for passage to Egyptian territories.
Regarding the delay in processing donations, GoFundMe emphasized that its primary concern is protecting donor generosity.
Jalen Drummond, GoFundMe's spokesperson, stated, "GoFundMe has already facilitated the transfer of tens of millions of dollars to individuals and organizations aiding those in both Israel and Gaza, and we will continue to do so promptly, securely, and safely."
He further stressed, "Any claims of discrimination are completely unfounded, baseless, and contrary to the principles that guide our platform."
According to OCCRP, Hala, the “travel agency” mentioned above, is who the brokers are working for.
Hala is part of the Organi Group, which operates across diverse sectors such as mining, construction, hospitality, and, most importantly in the story, transportation.
The CEO, Ibrahim al-Organi, leads the influential Tarabin tribe in the north of Sinai and has strong connections with top Egyptian government officials. His organization also coordinates with Israeli military intelligence due to the dual approval required from Egyptian intelligence and COGAT for crossing permits. Organi has spoken publicly about the involvement of the Egyptian government in another of his organizations.
“We are ready with all our resources; cars, equipment, medicine, and food. And when the opportunity presents itself, we shall help our Palestinian brethren with no hesitation.” - Organi told Egyptian media
Organi is more than ready to exploit vulnerable Gazans by charging exorbitant bribes for their passage.
The heartbreaking reality for Palestinians in Gaza, who are forced to scrape together their life savings to escape a war zone, reveals a world where survival has become a costly yet uncertain commodity. Despite the constant bombardments, severe shortages, and immense dangers, the global community’s support offers a glimmer of hope.
Each story reminds us that even in the darkest times, kindness and solidarity can make a difference. As we watch from afar, it's crucial to amplify these voices and rally behind their cause, ensuring that no one has to face this perilous journey - alone.
4. how to help
a. educating yourself
learning material
Resources for Palestinian Solidarity - a compilation of materials and resources to educate yourself about the situation and how to offer a helping hand.
news source
Media Against Apartheid & Displacement – A collaboration between radical, independent media outlets highlighting movement journalism in support of all oppressed people fighting for liberation.
Nếu các bạn muốn tìm hiểu về thông tin và cách hỗ trợ người dân Palestine mà chưa biết bắt đầu từ đâu, bạn Khang-Ninh đang mở một Google Form thu thập thông tin của những ai quan tâm để có thể trong tương lai chia sẻ tài liệu và tổ chức các buổi workshop về quyên góp cho người dân ở Palestine. Các bạn có thể đăng kí tại đây.
b. donations
Palestinians depend on foreign aid not only to flee but also to sustain their daily lives, purchasing basic utilities like food and water, as finding paid employment in the current circumstances is nearly unimaginable.
Given our resources are so limited, and so is the time we have - families we aim to help today might not be there tomorrow - I strongly recommend concentrating your efforts on one campaign at a time. This approach ensures that we can assist as many people as possible, as quickly as possible.
Once you identify which families need support, you can:
Donate directly to their GoFundMe page.
Boost their online visibility by visiting their page, engaging with their posts, and sharing their stories within your network.
For information about families to help, please refer to
Operation Olive Branch (@operationolivebranch) | TikTok
Operation Olive Branch is a grassroots movement dedicated to organizing and promoting crowdfunding campaigns for families in Palestine. For detailed information about individual campaigns and how to support specific families, please visit their TikTok account.
Operation Olive Branch has compiled a master sheet listing families in Palestine who urgently need funds to cross the border. This sheet is a comprehensive resource detailing the specific needs and circumstances of each family. There, you can find detailed information about each family's crowdfunding campaign and learn how to contribute directly to their efforts.
Tiktok failed to load.
Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browserGaza Kinder Relief (@gazakinderrelief) | Instagram
Gaza Kinder Relief is a coalition working independently to provide support, facilitate temporary evacuation, and deliver essential resources to injured children in Gaza. For detailed information and updates on each family in need, please visit their page attached above.
Thank you for reading until this point. I believe that despite the limited resources that we have, everyone can make a difference in the situation in Gaza with the simplest of actions.
While I have tried my best to cover many things as best as I can, this is not the full story. Palestinians still face way too many challenges that are not mentioned in this post, the situation is more complex than you can imagine.
If you have any comments about this post, please contribute in the comment section below
Thank you, and I wish you a nice weekend.
this is an incredibly detailed piece that must have cost so much effort! i learned a lot about the structural obstacles facing Gazans crowdfunding for their survival. this was so informative, cảm ơn em vì đã đau lưng để viết ra bài chất lượng thế này 😄