“It was harrowing being a social worker in Gaza before, but now…”

More than 11 years ago, I quoted Mohammed Al-Sharif, a social worker in Gaza during a time of indiscriminate bombing of Gaza (https://www.theguardian.com/social-care-network/2012/dec/06/social-work-gaza-peace). The article said:

“It was clear to me that Mohammed was also traumatised but had not lost his focus on his professional aspirations: “Help people, find them resources, get them helping others,” he said.

I asked Mohammed what resources he wanted. “We only want peace. I want to live in peace. I want everybody to live in peace.

“When the bombing stops, we will rebuild. There are so many people who will need social work to overcome their grief and loss and we will have a lot of work to do’.”

Over the years Mohammed has kept in touch often writing to me late at night as the bombs fall wondering if he and his family will see the morning. I’m sure his correspondence related to his need to just tell someone from the outside of the horrors which shroud his life.

Today he writes again in response to my questions:

“The loss of friends and family continues. There is an overwhelming sense of sadness, depression, frustration, lethargy, and fear of an uncertain future. The children, without schools for over a year, remain lost.

“We are in a vast prison called northern Gaza, living in humiliation and disgrace…. We have been displaced, and we lost everything we owned—our memories and our safe space. We lost our home.

“Now, amidst the challenging environment, we are working to provide a psychological ambulance service for children, organize recreational days, and hold awareness sessions.

“I have also established a team of volunteers composed of psychologists and social workers in northern Gaza. We have a strong capacity to help our community and support the children…I want to live with my family in safety, peace, and freedom so I can continue my career and ensure a future for my children.”

Below is the transcript of the written conversation between myself and Mohammed:

Q: For the people that do not know you can you say a little about being a social worker in Gaza before the invasion?

“I am Mohammed Al-Sharif, a social psychologist living in northern Gaza, Palestine. I hold a bachelor’s degree in social work and a master’s degree in mental health. I have worked with international organizations both in Gaza and abroad and have participated in international conferences on mental health.

“I currently serve as the director of the Gaza Mental Health Center for Children, a position I held before the war. Before the war, our focus was on treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children aged 6 to 17. Now, amidst the challenging environment, we are working to provide a psychological ambulance service for children, organize recreational days, and hold awareness sessions.”

Q: Since your house was bombed, what has happened to you and your family?

“We have been displaced, and we lost everything we owned—our memories and our safe space. We lost our home, which was lovingly designed, and the furniture I had carefully chosen for myself and my children. In an instant, it was bombed and destroyed. My car was also damaged significantly. Now, I am left without a home, staying at my sister’s house and taking refuge in a room at my father’s home.”

Q: What is the situation now like in Northern Gaza?

“The war continues, with bombings and the sounds of explosions constantly around us. There is immense difficulty and extreme poverty when it comes to accessing basic necessities like food, water, and shelter—they are almost non-existent. We are experiencing famine due to the scarcity of food and the skyrocketing prices of supplies, which have increased 150 times to unimaginable levels.

“The loss of friends and family continues. There is an overwhelming sense of sadness, depression, frustration, lethargy, and fear of an uncertain future. The children, without schools for over a year, remain lost, as we now enter another year with no education in sight.”

“We are in a vast prison called Northern Gaza, living in humiliation and disgrace. We have run out of everything, and no one is moving to help us except for a few freedom-loving individuals around the world.”

Q: As a social worker, are you able to play a role in supporting other in this extreme crisis?

“Yes, I have distributed food aid to children, organized open days for them, and conducted awareness workshops for caregivers. I have also established a team of volunteers composed of psychologists and social workers in northern Gaza. We have a strong capacity to help our community and support the children.”

Q: How can the international community help you and your family?

“My message to the international community: My home and workplace have been destroyed by Israeli airstrikes during this war. My car was damaged, and my children and family members were injured. I have three talented children who have dreams and ambitions like children everywhere. I now live in northern Gaza without a home, struggling daily to secure food and water for my family due to the famine that has hit the northern region.

“I want to live with my family in safety, peace, and freedom so I can continue my career and ensure a future for my children. That’s why I have decided to travel abroad for a temporary period once the war in Gaza ends and my home is rebuilt. However, I cannot leave Gaza without your support and contributions to help me travel, protect these children, and continue their lives safely. They are suffering from the dangers of war.

“With your support, I will be able to leave Gaza, facilitate my travel, cover travel expenses, and provide for our basic needs, along with securing a temporary resettlement as a new beginning. No matter the amount, it will play a crucial role in enabling my family to rebuild their lives. Every contribution from you and every bit of support will bring us closer to a brighter future filled with safety and security.

“I am a human being with the right to live in safety and peace. I am not asking for more than that. Please help me reach safety. You can assist me through this link:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/xmrem-us-to-get-a-new-home.”