Kuwaiti influencer Abu Fella withdraws from Kilimanjaro climb for Gaza orphans after altitude sickness

Kuwaiti content creator Hassan Suleiman, known as Abu Fella, suffered a health setback due to altitude sickness while participating in the "Kilimanjaro for Gaza Orphans" campaign, forcing him to withdraw from the climb of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

Travel content creator Qasem Hatto, known as Ibn Hattuta, announced on Instagram that Abu Fella's condition had worsened, sharing footage of his evacuation by helicopter to hospital for treatment.

Abu Fella appeared in a livestream with the charity team on October 23, where he reported improvements in his health and encouraged continued support for the campaign, which aims to raise funds for 20,000 orphans in Gaza.

The campaign features several Arab celebrities in cooperation with Taawon Foundation, led by Jordanian mountaineer Mostafa Salameh, who is providing technical supervision. He is accompanied by Ibn Hattuta and climber Mohammed Al-Shuqairi, under the oversight of the foundation's chairman, Dr. Nabil Hani Al-Qaddoumi.

What is altitude sickness?

Altitude sickness is a serious bodily response to rapid ascent above 2,500 meters, where air pressure drops and oxygen levels decrease.

Symptoms typically begin with throbbing headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and sleep disturbances, and can escalate to life-threatening complications such as pulmonary or cerebral edema.

Treatment involves stopping ascent and immediate descent to lower altitudes, providing oxygen, and administering medications such as acetazolamide or pain relievers.

The campaign began on October 15 under the leadership of Mostafa Salameh, the first Arab to complete the "Explorer's Grand Slam." A group of leading Arab content creators joined to boost media support.

The climb is expected to conclude on October 24 with the team reaching Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and in Africa, standing at nearly 20,000 feet—the same number as the children targeted for support by the campaign.