Urgent Support Gaza Monologues Writers, Palestine

Since October 2023, the crisis in Gaza has escalated dramatically, with over 42,000 Palestinians killed and nearly 100,000 injured. Among those affected are the writers of The Gaza Monologues, whose words have carried the voices of Palestinian resilience to audiences around the world, more than 60 countries.

Now, they and their families are in urgent need of support. Some continue their work with children and adults, offering drama as a form of psychosocial relief, despite the immense risks and exhaustion they face. Their lives remain in constant danger, and the situation is becoming increasingly desperate, with Gaza flattened and the winter period making it even harder.

With the borders sealed and movement severely restricted, leaving Gaza had become both difficult and costly. As you know, it costs $5,000 to leave for an adult and $2,500 for a child under 16, with the process taking up weeks if at all.

While some of the Gaza Monologues writers are seeking safety abroad, many, understandibly, have chosen to remain, doing what they can to support their families and communities. Each decision is deeply personal, shaped by the extreme and ever-changing conditions on the ground.

ASHTAR Theatre launched this emergency support campaign to channel direct assistance to Gaza Monologues writers and their families. Thanks to the generosity of donors, we have so far distributed $6,000 in direct support to 20 authors, helping them to sustain themselves, support their families, and in some cases, begin or complete the process of evacuation.

We remain in close daily contact with the writers in Gaza and abroad, listening to their needs and responding as best we can.

Some require immediate assistance with food and shelter, others are trying to gather the resources needed to leave, and many are struggling to support their families who have been displaced.

Each donation allows us to act quickly, ensuring that aid reaches those who need it most. Some of them are savvier when it comes to fundraising, some of them less, some of them would not choose to engage with such efforts seeing it as unsustainable.

Despite that, at ASHTAR we recognise the need for continued support and its urgency. The humanitarian collapse is worsening daily, and for those who wish to leave, the options are rapidly diminishing as well all are facing the treats of ethnic cleansing and mass forced relocations.

This campaign aims to provide ongoing assistance, whether that be through evacuation support, emergency aid, medical assistance, or future rebuilding efforts.

We ask for your continued solidarity at this critical time. Every donation, whether one-off or monthly, makes a tangible difference.

The writers of The Gaza Monologues shared their stories with the world more than once. Now, they need the world to stand with them.