In the midst of escalating tensions between Gaza and Israel, Kat, a member of the Ethereum community, has initiated a remarkable ETH-powered campaign to facilitate the evacuation of local families to safety.
The campaign, known as ETH Evacuations, has garnered an impressive $55,000 in donations within a 24-hour period to aid families seeking to exit the Gaza strip. This initiative comes as reports indicate heightened conflict in Gaza, with Palestinian families being displaced due to the actions of Hamas-aligned militants who breached into Israel on October 7.
Kat, also recognized as @Katalunia030, previously held a leadership role at Zora, an Ethereum-based platform focusing on creators. She launched the ETH Evacuations campaign on March 10 through ethevacuations.xyz, enabling individuals to contribute directly to families in Gaza using ETH donations.
The response to the campaign has been swift, with the crypto community actively participating in spreading awareness. Kat herself has been actively contributing to the cause and has been involved in various charitable endeavors since her visit to the troubled region in June 2023.
According to Kat, the expenses for a safe passage across the Gaza border through the Rafah crossing amount to approximately 1.5 ETH for adults and 0.5 ETH for children, covering the necessary “coordination fees.” The campaign aims to address these costs to facilitate the evacuation process.
Initially assisting friends and colleagues in need, Kat expanded the campaign to a wider audience as donations poured in. By March 13, the initiative successfully facilitated the safe evacuation of two families from Gaza.
The impact of the campaign was further amplified by the support of NFT artists who auctioned their collections to raise funds. Artists like troels_a and ‘brian is online’ launched NFT projects, directing all proceeds towards the evacuation campaign. The involvement of the NFT community has significantly contributed to the success of the initiative.
With donations exceeding $100,000 in ETH from various cryptocurrency sources, the campaign has demonstrated widespread support beyond the Ethereum community. The latest substantial donation of 10 ETH, equivalent to around $32,868, highlights the generosity of the contributors, although the donor’s identity remains undisclosed.
Furthermore, the utilization of blockchain technology showcases the transparency and accountability of the campaign, crucial in charitable endeavors to combat fraud. This transparency underscores the importance of blockchain in philanthropic initiatives, ensuring that donations are utilized effectively and ethically.
The ETH Evacuations campaign serves as a beacon of hope in the crypto community, emphasizing the power of collective action and solidarity in times of crisis.
