The Refaat Al Areer Camp

The Sameer Project, a grassroots aid organization led by four Palestinians in the diaspora, is proud to announce our first tent encampment project that provides shelter and specialized support to displaced families in Central Gaza. This first encampment will serve some of the most vulnerable families: high risk perinatal and neonatal females, children with physical or mental disabilities, adults with special needs and mobility issues, war injuries and chronic diseases. With this narrowed criteria, we will be able to serve the most critical population with tailored services and facilities, to enhance their health, safety of gestation and delivery for babies and new mothers, prevent complications and further injury of wounds, as well as care for the children and adults that need special attention. In addition, this takes a burden off the over-stressed hospital system as we also take referrals from medical NGOs to accommodate the most urgent cases as they await medical evacuations out of Gaza by the World Health Organization. 

The camp is in close proximity to a major medical complex and we have a our own medical clinic on-site so that expecting and new mothers, children and adults with chronic illnesses, severe injuries, and anyone with a health concern within the encampment, will be able to be treated individually. In addition to physical checkups of patients and oversight by camp nurses and a rotating doctor, we also supply food deliveries for nourishment multiple times per week, a supply of diapers and formula to new mothers, and mental health support in our one of a kind Virtual Reality therapy tent to assist children in dealing with this unique and overwhelming trauma that they face. 

We look forward to serving this population of women, children, family units, and their close loved ones during their most vulnerable, critical, but in normal circumstance: happiest of times of welcoming new life, as well as support the families that need extra care due to chronic and congenital conditions. We aim to preserve the dignity, independence, and care that these families deserve. And The Sameer Project will achieve this thanks to your support. 

Finally, we would be remiss not to explain why The Sameer Project chose to name our first camp after a towering and symbolic figure in Gaza’s recent history. The martyr Refaat Alareer. With such gratitude, we thank the Alareer family for allowing us to pay tribute to Refaat, and we hope to honor his legacy by carrying out our mission of supporting the people of Gaza, to ensure the future of Gaza: 

“You must live to tell my story.” 

These were the words of Palestinian writer, professor, and activist Dr. Refaat Alareer in his prophetic poem “If I Must Die.” Many called Alareer “the voice of Gaza,” his fight was his ideas, his ammunition his words, his means of resistance his pen, as he described the juxtaposition of despair and hope in the tiny besieged enclave. He believed in the future of Gaza and fostered that future by giving the necessary tools to the younger generation to preserve their culture, heritage and frankly to survive under the constant threat of the occupation. If he must die, then “you must live.” 

Refaat Alareer did died, murdered by the Israel occupation forces in December 2023. Targeted for what he represented to Gaza, and what he displayed to the world as a strong Palestinian intellect. 

The Sameer Project is honored to name our first camp after the brilliant Refaat Alareer. Our mission is to serve the most vulnerable population, to give them hope, to give them a future, to preserve their lives. Like Dr. Alareer, The Sameer Project believes that hope for Gaza lies in the support we give to the younger generation, that is why our camp focuses on the health of newborn babies, medical care for sick children, and fostering their growth by providing them with an environment to thrive in: a play area used for finding joy, implementation of an education program, medical care, and a Virtual Reality assisted mental health and therapy tent, all on camp site. We hope to pay homage to Refaat by carrying on his legacy and supporting those that will save Gaza, see her flourish, and free Palestine. 

Please be a part of serving and protecting families in Gaza. We thank you for your support.