Help orphaned Gazan children settle in NZ

Four Palestinian children aged 7-13 have arrived in New Zealand to their new home with extended family after prolonged trauma. Their mother and father were killed in Gaza within a three month period, along with their grandparents and wider family. They were thankfully assisted across the border to Egypt a year ago, one day before the border shut, where they have been waiting to be united with relatives in Aotearoa/NZ.

The day has finally come, and after much stress, they can now settle in safety with their new family. But, it is no simple happy ending. Because of visa and resettlement challenges, they have had to come on a visitor visa until the family can complete the process for residency. Which means healthcare will not be fully covered, and life will be a financial strain for their elderly family members they are now in the care of.

While proud and fiercely independent, I have managed to convince the family to allow Kiwis to give them the support I know so many will freely give for these darling children who deserve so much love and support after all they have been through. Given their age, the trauma they have lived through, and the journey to healing they have ahead, we want to protect their privacy as much as possible, but just know that any help you can give will be so beneficial to their continued care. Ngā mihi nui.