Toddler from Gaza arrives in St. Louis for treatment

A mother and her 2-year-old daughter received a warm welcome at St. Louis Lambert International Airport on a cold night Monday. Dozens came to greet Rahaf and Israa Saed after their evacuation from Gaza.

“The community has really shown their support,” said Shireen Yehya of the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, adding how grateful Saed was. “They expressed their gratitude for having a community and support behind them here in Saint Louis.”

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The Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF) helped the mother-daughter duo enter the United States and ensured that the toddler received free medical treatment at Shriners Children’s Hospital. The road here was long for Rahaf.

“She was actually turned down at first, and it was months of work getting approved,” Yehya said, adding that Rahaf’s mother worked to get her the care she needed. “It’s such a story of resilience.”

Rahaf lost both legs after her home was hit by an Israeli bomb several months ago. With the help of PCRF, she is treated prosthetically in the USA.

“It’s been a long process and a long journey, but we are very grateful that they are here now so they can get what they need,” Yehya said.

For the past three decades, PCRF has helped children like Rahaf access critical care. The need for this support has increased since the war in Gaza began last year.

“The health system is simply broken, it has collapsed. So many children need medical treatment,” Yehya said, adding that Rahaf is one of thousands who need care.

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PCRF has helped bring 23 children out of Gaza for treatment since the war began in October 2023. The organization wants to be able to do more, but also recognizes the growing need.

“Our organization is a non-political nonprofit and is really focused on helping these kids who are by no means self-harmed,” Yehya said.

Rahaf is staying with a host family during her treatment. PCRF said the organization will continue to support them throughout the process.

“We are excited to see how her journey progresses and that she receives her treatment.”

For more ways to get involved with the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, click here.