Abeer Diab was forcibly displaced from her home in Gaza, yet she and her husband and two kids survived. The severe humanitarian crisis has devastated daily life for millions in Gaza, forcing many Palestinians, including Diab, her husband Mohammed and their two children, Azmi, and Tayyem, to seek safety and stability far away from home.
They have since settled in Calgary. The Canadian Government has limited the number of Palestinian refugees to a mere 1000 applicants, despite an estimated 45 thousand Palestinians desperately seeking refuge in other countries.
“It wasn’t a difficult decision to leave Gaza because of my children,”
Diab said. “They were terrified and hysterical.”
Intense bombardments on densely populated districts from the Israeli Defense Force have had a terrible impact on the Palestinian population. More than half of Gaza’s 36 hospitals have been destroyed and emergency aid is reaching those in need at a slow pace. Access to clean drinking water and food is also extremely limited, with the United Nations saying that Gazans now account for 80 per cent of the population facing famine or catastrophic hunger worldwide.
“I still suffer from nightmares, almost every day I have nightmares from the bombardments and even my kids wake up in the middle of the night due to night terrors due to the post-traumatic stress disorder they had experienced,” said Diab.
“My hope is to end this nightmare, end this violence and end this genocide that is happening to our people in Gaza.”
Marwan diab
Out of the 1000 residency permits provided, only 200 Gazans have made it to Canada. Those who embarked on the journey to asylum faced a tough road. For families like Diab’s, leaving Palestine is a time-consuming and difficult process that requires consent from both Israeli and Egyptian authorities. This can take many attempts over several months. The bureaucratic ordeal demands substantial documentation and is frequently costly, posing significant obstacles to departure. Abeer’s brother-in-law, Marwan Diab, was able to navigate these challenges last year in November of 2023.
“My other family members were living here [in Calgary], so they have contacted the Canadian government and they allowed us to get through the border safely to Egypt,” Marwan said.
Certain applicants escaping the humanitarian crisis in Gaza have been granted exemptions to the temporary resident visa criteria under Canadian government policy. While the policy provides some relief, it is evident that the support provided is inadequate. With only 1000 temporary resident visa applications granted under public policy, many displaced Palestinians are still without options.
For the numerous families fleeing Gaza, 1000 spots just aren’t enough to meet the huge demand for asylum. Many Canadians, who are dealing with their own financial responsibilities, are unable to provide the required assistance to these individuals in establishing a better future. However, Canada is not the only choice for individuals seeking safety. Other countries, including European nations and Middle Eastern neighbours, have opened their borders to accept Gazans.
“My hope is to end this nightmare, end this violence and end this genocide that is happening to our people in Gaza,” said Marwan.
Upon arriving in Canada, Palestinians face a fresh set of challenges, particularly when it comes to integrating into a new culture.
“Moving to Canada is terrifying,” Diab said. “Because we have to start our lives over in a new country.”
Fortunately, Abeer has the support of her brother-in-law, who has been a crucial source of strength and guidance. He helped them raise funds for the Canadian visa—a critical step toward establishing their new life—and has provided a connection to the community and a sense of peace amidst the uncertainty.
“I am trying to look for a job in a country with safety,” said Diab
Now, with newfound security, Diab and her husband are rebuilding their lives by seeking jobs while the kids are attending school in Calgary. They are spending time with their loved ones, hoping for a more secure future.