Amid escalating tensions between Gaza and Israel, an Ethereum community member known as Kat has initiated a remarkable campaign leveraging the power of Ethereum to facilitate the evacuation of local families to safety.
The initiative, aptly named “ETH Evacuations,” has garnered significant traction, raising an impressive sum of over $55,000 within the past 24 hours alone. This surge in donations arrives amidst reports of heightened conflict in the Gaza strip, triggered by the infiltration of Hamas-aligned militants into Israel on October 7, resulting in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.
Driving this noble cause is Kat, also recognized as @Katalunia030, who brings with her a wealth of experience, having previously served as the head of product at Zora, a creator-focused platform built on the Ethereum network. Her commitment to aiding those in need was evident as she unveiled ethevacuations.xyz on March 10, providing a direct avenue for Ethereum donations to reach families in Gaza.
The campaign swiftly gained momentum, thanks to the proactive engagement of the crypto community in spreading awareness. Kat herself has been actively contributing to the cause, drawing on her involvement in various charitable initiatives dating back to her visit to the troubled region in June 2023.
According to Kat’s estimates, the cost of facilitating the safe passage of individuals across the Gaza border via the Rafah crossing stands at approximately 1.5 ETH for adults (equivalent to roughly $5,000) and 0.5 ETH for children (around $2,000). These funds are crucial for covering coordination fees imposed on those crossing via this route, underscoring the significance of the campaign in facilitating humanitarian aid.
Initially driven by Kat’s desire to assist friends and colleagues in need of evacuation, the campaign rapidly evolved into a broader community effort. By March 13, the initiative had successfully facilitated the safe evacuation of two families, shielding them from the perils of conflict.
Notably, the campaign also witnessed the support of several NFT artists, who pledged their contributions by launching collections aimed at fundraising. For instance, artist troels_a introduced the EVAC open edition project on Coinbase’s base network, with proceeds directed towards the educational campaign. Similarly, ‘brian is online’ on X launched three NFTs and committed to matching all generated proceeds.
As of the latest update, the campaign, which has been active for 3.5 weeks, has surpassed the $100,000 mark in ETH donations. Impressively, contributions have poured in from various cryptocurrencies, indicating broad-based support transcending the Ethereum community.
One noteworthy donation worth highlighting is a substantial contribution of 10 ETH, valued at approximately $32,868 at the time of receipt, although the donor’s identity remains undisclosed.
This initiative not only showcases the Ethereum community’s solidarity and compassion but also underscores the transparency afforded by blockchain technology, a crucial element in philanthropic endeavors, particularly amidst concerns of fraudulent charitable activities.
Through the collective efforts of individuals like Kat and the broader crypto community, ETH Evacuations stands as a beacon of hope, embodying the spirit of altruism and resilience in times of adversity.