Israel's Humanitarian Efforts
Israeli Humanitarian Aid Across the World
Overview of Israeli Humanitarian Aid
Over the years the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) has been one of the most prominent arms of humanitarian operations on behalf of the Israeli government. Delegations of medical teams and search & rescues were sent for relief missions to the following countries:
Aid to collapsed building in Kenya (2006), relief mission to earthquake victims in India (2001), aid to victims of the earthquake in Greece (1999), aid to victims of the earthquake in Turkey (1999), aid to refugees from Kosovo (1999), assisting victims of the bombing of the American Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya (1998), aid Rwandan refugees following the genocide (1994), aid survivors following bombing of Jewish community center in Buenos Aires (1994), rescue of earthquake victims in Mexico (1985), aid in refugee camp in Cambodia (1979), aid to earthquake victims in Greece (1953).
Recent Humanitarian Efforts:
When Turkey was in need, Israel was on the ground the next day (1999)
Immediately after news of the earthquake disaster in Turkey, the Israeli government made preparations to extend emergency assistance. On August 17, 1999-Israel Air Force planes airlifted an Israeli team of 250 people, as well as sophisticated rescue equipment and rescue dogs. The Israeli team immediately began to work at several locations in coordination with the Turkish government. On August 18, 1999 an additional IAF plane was sent to Turkey, carrying the staff and equipment for a field hospital, which comprised two hospital wards for adults and children, an isolation room, an operating room, an X-ray laboratory, two clinics, and medical equipment.
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When El-Salvador was suffering, Israel dispatched a medical team. (2001)
In January 2001, the Israeli Foreign Ministry dispatched a medical team and a shipment of medical supplies to assist the victims of the earthquake in El Salvador. Leading the delegation were the Director of the Israeli Foreign Ministry's Latin America Division, Mr. Alex Ben-Zvi, and the Director of the Schneider Hospital Trauma Center, Dr. Yehezkel Waisman. The delegation conveyed to President Francisco Flores of El Salvador a letter from Prime Minister Barak, expressing the solidarity of the people of Israel with the people of El Salvador. In addition, the Israeli Humanitarian Aid organization "Latet" ("to give") collected approximately 22 tons of clothing, blankets and assorted aid for homeless refugees in El Salvador.
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When India was suffering, Israel was there helping those in need. (2001)
An Israeli aid mission numbering 150 personnel departed on January 29, 2001 with five Israeli Air Force aircrafts to the area of near an earthquake in western India. Following an Indian request, Israel dispatched an entire field hospital, including a team of doctors, medical staff, and medical equipment. A Foreign Ministry team, led by Mr. Moti Amihai, Director of the South East Asia Division, accompanied the delegation.
The IDF medical relief team opened a field hospital in the town of Bhuj, in the Indian state of Gujarat, which was the region most affected by the earthquake. At the field hospital in the city of Bhuj, they treated 1,211 casualties and assisted in 12 births. Members of the delegation also helped in the search and rescue in the field.
After Genocide in Rwanda, Israel sent out to those in need (1994)
On July 22, 1994, the Israeli government decided to send emergency medical aid to refugees of the Rwandan genocide. The aid comprised medical personnel and equipment, including an IDF field hospital, flown to Zaire by an Israeli Air Force airlift. It was decided to set up the field hospital in Goma, Zaire. The number of Rwandan refugees in the area of Goma at the time was estimated at between one and two million.
On July 25 at 6:00 A.M., the first Israeli plane landed in Goma and was received by the head of the regional Zaire authorities and the Head of Protocol of the Zaire Foreign Ministry. The Israeli delegation comprised about 50 medical staff and an additional 30 auxiliary staff. That was to date the largest medical aid mission ever sent abroad by the IDF.
Israel was there aiding refugees fleeing Kosovo (1999)
On Tuesday April 6th 1999, the Israel Defense Forces dispatched a field hospital, under IDF Medical Corps Command, to assist Albanian refugees from Kosovo. The mission lasted for two weeks. The mission landed in Skopje Macedonia and set up a 100-bed field hospital near the border with Kosovo. The mission was comprised of sixty men and women, including physicians, paramedics, nurses, medics and X-Ray technicians. The field hospital included a medical laboratory, pharmacy and operating room. After two weeks on the ground, the IDF field hospital closed. Patients still under treatment were transferred to the German Red Cross Hospital. Israel provided the necessary assistance in a time of need, and completed its two-week mission successfully.
Cote d'Ivoire suffers from Ecological disaster, Israel sends aid (September 2006)
Israel sent an emergency shipment of humanitarian aid to Cote d'Ivoire, in response to an international appeal by its government for help following the recent ecological and health disaster caused by the spillage of poisonous waste in the lagoon surrounding the capital, Abidjan. The aid shipment comprises primarily antibiotics and medical equipment for treating poisoning victims, whose number is estimated several score thousand. This assistance is an expression of the traditionally close and friendly relations between Israel and Cote d'Ivoire
Sources:
IsraAID, The Israel Forum for International Humanitarian Aid
Israeli Minstry of Foreign Affairs