A Palestinian Student In Vienna Is Racing Against Time To Save His Family Trapped In Gaza

Vienna, Austria - Kamel Shahwan, a Palestinian master's student in Vienna, is making an urgent plea to the world as his family in Gaza struggles to survive under catastrophic conditions. While Shahwan continues his studies abroad, his parents, five sisters, brother-in-law, and young nephew are trapped in Gaza with no home, no security, and little access to food or clean water.

The family's home has been completely destroyed, forcing them to live in a tent. Prices for even basic necessities have soared beyond reach, leaving them dependent on humanitarian aid that often fails to arrive. Shahwan, who is completing his thesis while working an unpaid internship, cannot provide the financial assistance needed. Out of desperation, he has launched and maintained a GoFundMe campaign that is now critical for his family's day-to-day survival.

Shahwan first arrived in Austria in September 2023, hopeful to build a brighter future through his education. Just one month later, the war began. His family was forced to flee their home and endure a harrowing cycle of displacement, moving from Dir al-Balah to Khan Younis to Rafah before returning in April to find their home destroyed. As violence escalated, they were forced to flee the same path again, only to lose their home completely.

“Every day I wake up to messages from my family, not knowing if they found food or clean water,” said Shahwan.“My father dedicated his life to saving others as a surgeon, and now I cannot save him. The guilt and helplessness are overwhelming. I started this campaign out of desperation, a last resort to do something, anything, to keep them alive.”

The GoFundMe campaign was initially launched in January 2024 with the goal of securing evacuation for the family. As conditions worsened, the mission shifted toward survival. Funds raised are now directed immediately toward food, clean water, medicine, and temporary shelter.

“They are not numbers or headlines; they are my parents, my sisters, and my little nephew. They are civilians with dreams who have lost everything except their will to live,” Shahwan emphasized.“We are not asking for much, just for a chance to survive this.”

About the Campaign

The campaign was initiated by Kamel Shahwan in January 2024 as a personal effort to save his immediate family from the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Originally focused on evacuation, the campaign has evolved into a lifeline, providing urgent essentials for survival amidst worsening conditions. The long-term vision remains to secure safe passage for his family and eventually rebuild their lives.

Support the campaign at .

For the latest updates, follow Kamel Shahwan on Instagram at .

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