What
Israel did to help the victims of the tsunami disaster
By Israeli Foreign Ministry, January 17, 2005.
Here is an official summary of assistance to tsunami disaster victims
given by Israel, Israeli groups, and individuals giving in Israel's
name to tsunami disaster victims in Sri Lanka, Thailand and Indonesia.
The State of Israel
transferred a sum of $100,000 to UNOCHA (United Nations Office for the
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs), which is coordinating the provision
of assistance to the victims of the tsunami.
Details of Israeli assistance were presented at the UNOCHA Donors Conference,
which took place on January 11 in Geneva.
The assistance provided by the State of Israel and Israeli NGO's (Non
Governmental Organizations):
SRI LANKA
A consignment of medical equipment valued at $60,000.
An emergency delegation of nine medical personnel.
On the initiative of the IDF and the Foreign Ministry, a plane carrying
82 tons of food, medical equipment and other humanitarian assistance
was dispatched.
Following a request from the Sri Lankan Government regarding the provision
of psychological support, a delegation composed of five doctors and
social workers set out for Colombo, Sri Lanka, on January 9, for a week-long
visit. The delegation provided guidance to professionals working with
the population in the disaster
areas.
The program was
coordinated with the University of Colombo.
A plane carrying 10 tons of emergency equipment arrived in Sri Lanka
on January 10. The plane carried equipment for emergency food kitchens
as well as food supplies. The kitchens are able to provide 4000 hot
meals a day. The United Kibbutz Movement provided the donation.
Magen David Adom donated a mobile clinic. Magen David Adom responded
positively to the Director General of the Sri Lanka Health Service,
and arranged to send medical relief to the tsunami victims. A delegation
of nine medical personnel from Magen David Adom left Israel on January
9, in order to establish a first aid treatment center in the city of
Matara. The center will operate in coordination with the kitchen donated
by the United Kibbutz Movement, in order to provide meals to the disaster
victims.
The United Kibbutz Movement dispatched a delegation of five personnel
to oversee a feeding station. The team will also provide logistical
and humanitarian assistance.
An umbrella organization has been established to oversee the assistance
to the tsunami victims, called the Israel Campaign for South East Asia
Disaster Relief, which includes 45 organizations. It established donation
points throughout Israel, and has collected between 150 and 200 tons
of food and humanitarian supplies.
THAILAND
3,300 body bags, 500 gas masks and special protective suits for the
disaster areas provided by the Zaka Rescue and Identification team.
A medical delegation that included 13 doctors and three nurses.
Assistance in the identification of bodies - Immediately after the tsunami
disaster struck, the Thai authorities requested the dispatch of a police
forensics unit to assist in the identification of victims. A delegation
of 12 personnel, including a police forensic crew and members of the
Zaka Rescue and Identification unit were dispatched to Thailand, four
days after the tsunami disaster hit the country. The delegation searched
for missing Israelis, and provided assistance to the Thai authorities.
A further 11 personnel joined the delegation on 5th January.
The Remedia Company donated 3 tons of baby food, which arrived on January
6.
2 tons of blankets and clothes arrived on January 9.
5 tons of medicines donated by Teva Pharmaceuticals were dispatched
courtesy of the El Al airline, and arrived on January 10.
Walter Arbib, an Israeli residing in Canada, donated medicine valued
at $600,000. He requested that the donation be presented on behalf of
the State of Israel. The medicine arrived on January 10.
INDONESIA
On January 12, a plane carrying 75 tons of equipment valued at $450,000
landed near the tsunami-affected area of Aceh. The cargo included the
following:
16 tons of baby food donated by the Remedia and Materna companies.
30 tons of rice, flour, water, sugar and grains donated by the Koach
Latet organization as well as the Sugat and Osem companies.
5 tons of plastic sheeting donated by Hovav Plastica and Haogenplast.
20 tons of medicine produced by Teva Pharmaceuticals, donated through
the Latet organization.
A water purification system valued at $20,000 produced by the Netafim
manufacturer, donated by Shari Arison Glazer and the Shira Hadasha Congregation,
in Jerusalem. The manufacturer Netafim also donated a second system.
A contribution of $300,000 of the Sacta-Rashi Foundation. Mark Solomon
and the Friends of Yemin Orde Wingate Youth Village covered the cost
of the flight.
The above contribution together with that of Koach Latet, also provided
ten communications networks produced by Gilat Satellite Networks, which
provided two additional networks.
El Al provided the plane at minimal cost, and the Defence Ministry and
Maman provided quick, efficient and free service at the airport.
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