Many people search for "how to send money to my family in Gaza" or "how to help a Palestinian family in Gaza from abroad." The search results are often unhelpful: outdated articles, charity organization landing pages with high overhead, or scam warnings without practical guidance.
This article is from someone on the receiving end. I am Mohammed Al-Shanti, a Palestinian father in Northern Gaza. I receive donations from people in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Sweden, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, and Indonesia. I know which methods work and which do not.
The Problem with Traditional Methods in 2026
Several methods that worked before October 2023 either no longer work or work poorly:
- Western Union. Largely suspended for direct delivery in Gaza. Some agents operate but coverage is unreliable.
- MoneyGram. Similar to Western Union. Limited operational presence.
- Bank wire transfers. Most Gaza bank branches are damaged, closed, or have severely limited operations. Even where banks function, dollar withdrawal is difficult.
- Direct hand delivery. Travel restrictions make this nearly impossible for most diaspora.
Methods That Work Reliably in 2026
Best Methods to Send Money to Gaza from Abroad in 2026
| Method | Speed | Fee | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| PayPal direct | Same day | 0% to 4% | High |
| GoGetFunding | 2-5 days | 5% | High |
| USDT TRC20 | 1 minute | $1 flat | High |
| Solana (SOL) | 2 seconds | <$0.01 | High |
| Bitcoin / Ethereum | 10-60 min | $2-15 | High |
| Western Union | Variable | 5-10% | Low |
| Bank wire | Days-weeks | $25+ | Low |
From the United States
The most common method from the US is PayPal. PayPal allows you to send to a hosted donation button without creating an account. The recipient receives funds within hours. PayPal donation fees on this campaign are zero from the receiving side; the sender pays only the standard PayPal fee on credit card transactions, typically around 3%.
For larger donations or for donors who want zero platform fees, USDC or USDT TRC20 are excellent options. USDC can be purchased fee-free on Coinbase. USDT TRC20 is available on Binance.US, Kraken, and several other exchanges.
Tax deduction: A direct donation to an individual is not tax deductible in the US. If you need the deduction, donate to a 501(c)(3) charity instead.
From the United Kingdom
UK donors most commonly use PayPal or GoGetFunding (a UK-based crowdfunding platform). Both work reliably. UK Gift Aid is not available for individual gifts; it requires donation to a UK registered charity.
For donors with crypto, USDT TRC20 is widely used in the UK and available on most exchanges.
From Europe (EU)
SEPA bank transfers do not reliably reach Gaza in 2026. PayPal, GoGetFunding, and crypto are the practical options. For European donors, EUR to USD conversion happens automatically through PayPal.
From the Gulf (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait)
PayPal is fully supported in the Gulf. GoGetFunding accepts most Gulf-issued cards. Crypto donations from Gulf-based exchanges (BitOasis, Rain, others) work reliably. Many Gulf donors specifically use USDT TRC20 because it is the dominant stablecoin in regional crypto markets.
Verifying Before You Send
The most important step before sending money to anyone in Gaza is verification. Search results are full of scam campaigns. Look for:
- Identity documents (national ID, passport, professional registration) on a public verification page
- Proof of displacement (UN ID, displacement records, photos with dates and locations)
- Multiple platforms with separate verification (e.g., GoGetFunding's own verification process)
- Active diary or update history with dated entries
- Documented spending of past donations
My verification page at donatetogaza.org/verification includes all of these.
Help This Family Today
PayPal, GoGetFunding, or crypto. Verified family. Documented spending. 100% direct.
A Note on Recurring Donations
Single donations help in moments of acute crisis. Monthly recurring donations are different. They allow a family to plan: to commit to next month's rent, to buy formula in bulk, to manage cash flow rather than constantly fearing the next gap.
If you can spare $10, $25, or $50 a month rather than a one-time gift, please consider that approach. PayPal supports recurring donations through the donate link. Most crypto wallets do not support recurring transactions natively, but you can set a calendar reminder to send the same amount each month.