Israeli medics at work. Illustrative. Photo courtesy of Israel GPO. By Kobi Gideon / GPO.
Once again, Israel is sending disaster and medical experts to a tragedy-struck region in another part of the world, this team sending teams to assist with the efforts following the earthquake in Nepal. A press release on the website for Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel’s national medical and paramedic organization, said a “humanitarian mission” of paramedics and doctors was set to leave from Israel for Nepal on Sunday. The group is bringing medical supplies and baby formula. Preparations are also underway for sending additional supplies and engaging in “prolonged activity in disaster stricken zones” as part of the Red Cross response.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent a message to the leader of Nepal expressing condolences and offering support, while Israeli President Reuven Rivlin’s office released a statement saying, “Our thoughts and hearts go out to the people of Nepal dealing with this awful disaster, and with our loved ones who are in distress. The State of Israel is reaching out to help the search and rescue of the many victims.”
The press release from Netanyahu’s office said that an “advance team” from Israel was to leave Saturday night as part of the multi-pronged relief and rescue efforts.
The IDF Spokesperson’s Twitter feed reported on Saturday that an “IDF delegation” was poised to travel to Nepal to “determine extent of required humanitarian assistance.”
Israel has dealt with a number of wars and terror attacks in their own country, as well as assisting in numerous disasters around the world. Previous earthquakes in Haiti and Japan are among the areas where Israeli teams have gone to help.
MDA Director General, Eli Bin was quoted in the MDA press release as saying the personnel on the MDA’s mission to Nepal “are trained and highly experienced in dealing with extreme situations such as these and I am sure that the cooperation between all those involved… will be able to greatly assist in the mission of saving lives under the difficult conditions currently in the area.”
(By Joshua Spurlock, www.themideastupdate.com, April 26, 2015)