After a devastating earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale hit the impoverished mountainous country of Nepal over the weekend, killing at least 3,800 people, Israeli and Jewish humanitarian and governmental organizations have assumed their traditional role on the frontline of relief efforts for a natural disaster.
The 260-member Israeli government mission to Nepal includes an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) field hospital, a trained rescue team, and a security team, with the objectives of assisting the Nepalese people and evacuating Israeli citizens who are stranded in the country. Paul Hirschson, an Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman, told JNS.org that the conditions on the ground in Nepal have been “very difficult.”
“The rescue mission is headed up by the Israeli ambassador to Nepal and the foreign ministry’s deputy director general, who has already arrived in Kathmandu (Nepal’s capital) from Jerusalem,” Hirschson said Monday.
Magen David Adom's Ravit Martinez (in center, wearing baseball cap) helps treat a wounded Nepalese citizen at a military hospital following the deadly earthquake that struck Nepal. Credit: Magen David Adom.
“At present, this includes collecting information; providing shelter [for some 200 Israelis who are currently at the Jewish state’s Nepalese embassy]; securing contact with Israelis, as there remain some 100 who are unaccounted for; extracting Israelis still stranded in outlying areas, where there remain some tens of Israelis; preparing for the arrival of the aid mission; arranging for the flights to land; and securing locations for the field hospitals,” added Hirschson.
“You are being sent on an important mission,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, addressing the Israeli relief team, headed by IDF Col. Yoram Laredo. “This is the true face of Israel – a country that offers aid over any distance at such moments.”
Also sending rescue teams from Israel to Nepal were the humanitarian and emergency response organizations Magen David Adom (MDA), United Hatzalah, Zaka, F.I.R.S.T., IsraLife, IsraAID, and others, as well as the private insurance companies Harel and Phoenix.
Ravit Martinez, a member of the delegation from MDA, told JNS.org that the organization’s main goal is to “help the injured Israelis and groups of disconnected Israelis,” but that MDA has also worked at a military hospital to treat Nepalese citizens at a military hospital who have sustained abdominal injuries, chest injuries, and broken legs and arms.
The Israeli government and MDA has also started evacuating surrogate-born babies and their parents to Israel. Hirschson told JNS.org that five babies have already been brought to Israel and that about 18 remain in Nepal, with efforts to bring them to Israel by Tuesday pending a medical assessment to determine if they can fly.
“If there are any who are assessed not to be able to fly, they will be looked after at the Israeli field hospital, which will be functional in the hours subsequent to the aid mission arriving later Monday or Tuesday,” Hirschson said.
MDA’s Martinez said there were six babies “that couldn’t be treated” in a hospital in Kathmandu who were evacuated on Sunday, and that there are eight more currently in the Israeli embassy, where they are being fed and cared for by MDA staff.
The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), which has provided relief to dozens of natural disaster zones over the last century and currently works in more than 70 countries, said it is partnering with the IDF field hospital in Kathmandu through providing equipment such as neonatal incubators. JDC said that while it provides immediate aid, it is also laying the foundation for our longer-term relief efforts in Nepal.
On April 27, Israeli personnel load an aircraft with rescue equipment at Ben Gurion International Airport while the Israel Defense Forces aid delegation prepares to leave for its mission to Nepal in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake there. Credit: IDF Spokesperson.
JDC’s director of communications, Michael Geller, told JNS.org that reports on the ground in Nepal present a “dire situation” that has been exacerbated by Nepal’s challenging weather, difficult terrain, and deep poverty.
“This is the worst earthquake of its kind in 80 years for Nepal, and it is happening in a country that has other challenges it was dealing with before the earthquake like poverty. So the combination of these factors can create a very harrowing situation on the ground,” said Geller.
JDC’s main goal during the emergency stage, Geller said, is to “ensure that aid is given to the people as quickly as possible.” The personnel at the IDF field hospital, he said, have “proven that they are effectively able to get into disaster zones quickly and treat people.”
In the longer-term, JDC’s mission the “restoration of livelihood,” which includes setting up schools, medical care, post-traumatic support, and disaster mitigation, according to Geller.
“We work with local communities, municipalities, and volunteer organizations in the countries where the disaster has happened to help them help themselves and ensure that when the next disaster happens, they can organize an effective response,” he said.
Geller praised the American Jewish community for “coming together to support the people of Nepal,” noting the outpouring of support and inquiries about JDC’s relief operations.
“I think that is one of the outstanding features of the Jewish community, its ability to come together and respond to crises and to show its dedication to tikkun olam (repairing the world),” he said.
The Jewish Federations of North America is raising funds for relief efforts in Nepal, as it has done in the past for natural and manmade disasters in locations such as the Philippines, Haiti, Japan, South Asia, and elsewhere. While humanitarian groups gear up to provide both short-term and long-term assistance, the Israeli government’s direct aid mission will last at least two to three weeks, according to the foreign ministry’s Hirschson. After that point, Israel will work on long-term relief with the international community.
“This is what we specialize in and are known for,” Hirschson told JNS.org.
“Beyond that [two-to-three week] time frame [for the initial aid mission] begins an entirely different phase of rehabilitation and reconstruction,” he said. “Israel will participate to the best of our abilities together with the international community. The foreign ministry has already had an initial internal discussion as to what contribution we will be able to make, and a team is working on that, but for now the focus is on saving lives.”
–With reporting by Alina Dain Sharon
(12) kishor, August 7, 2015 8:45 AM
I think that is one of the outstanding features of the Jewish community
(11) Bhattacharjee, May 2, 2015 6:09 AM
any doubt?
Yes think so
(10) Anonymous, May 1, 2015 4:44 AM
Proud of our contribution
I am proud to be a part of the people that act and succeed in these circumstances.
(9) Yitzi l, April 30, 2015 7:36 PM
Missing the Local Jewish community - chabad.
If u are following the news properly, u would notice chabad - the only jewish local presence - has been an amazing and unparalleled force there. Surprised u dident mention it.
(8) yitzchak brown, April 28, 2015 10:14 PM
I am suprised there is no mention of the work of Chabad
(7) Mickey Oberman, April 28, 2015 7:33 PM
Why?
Could it be that Israel is a Jewish nation?
And on the other hand why do we not hear about the aid given by those fabulously wealthy Arab oil countries?
Binyomin P, April 29, 2015 4:05 AM
"Arab Charity"
Those rich Arab countries donate to terrorist groups to KILL people. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirtes and Qatar support terrorist groups They didn't even donate to their "brothers" in Gaza following last summer's war. They donate funds to buy rocks to give to the Palestinians to throw at Israelis.
Anonymous, April 29, 2015 5:13 AM
Emirates and Red Crescent also have given
According to CBS, United Arab Emirates sent an 88-member search-and-rescue team and another team was sent by Emirates Red Crescent. Time Magazine reports aid from two other Muslim nations, four Pakistan Air Force aircraft carrying a 30-bed hospital, medical team and other assistance, and 30 members of the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team, as well as 20 doctors.
GeeMiller, April 30, 2015 8:00 AM
Doing what's right is universal...
Good for UAE, Pakistan, Malaysia, and every other human soul rushing to help the suffering and dying Nepalese...we know how generous the Israeli People are and have been...4000 dead people in a tiny country like Nepal is devastating.
It remains to be seen if they co-operate with Israel or act belligerent during efforts to aid stricken isolated people...
I am sitting on my large rear reading about this, but I feel a sense of pride at "my" people just being themselves and rushing to aid the suffering!
That is indeed the face of Israel.
(6) Anonymous, April 28, 2015 7:00 PM
as usual
The Chabad rabbi is always on the Frontline
(5) Molly Brudnick, April 28, 2015 6:35 PM
It is great that Israel is providing some assistance to the people of Nepal.
Why wasn't Hadassah Hospitals mentioned because I understand that they are also first responders to Nepal
(4) Manasseh, April 28, 2015 5:47 PM
Ysroel Transforming Scars To Stars
That is my beloved Ysroel,
Transforming her many scars to stars shining to guide those travelling the troubled seven seas of life
(3) Kelly Rebekah ben Maimon, April 28, 2015 5:27 PM
Baruch HaShem..
What a terrible tragedy. May G d bless the Israeli ambassador to Nepal. London, England
(2) elana, April 28, 2015 4:05 PM
why isn't this on the national news anywhere?
why is it that we only read abouit the good that israel does on jewish media? why is this not on cnn or abc or fox or any other national news service????
cynthia, April 28, 2015 10:11 PM
the israeli publicity machine is useless.
i have often told my israeli friends, its about time something was done about it also you only hear about what the usa and britain has sent to Nepal Israel only gets bad publicity.
Kelly Rebekah ben Maimon, April 30, 2015 12:14 AM
"The Israeli publicity machine is useless"
Well Cynthia, since you have come to the conclusion that "the Israeli publicity machine is useless" what exactly are you doing about it personally, that is apart from listening to your friends? Just curious because with with every reaction, surely it is good to follow it up with pro activity of sorts..
Kelly Rebekah ben Maimon, April 30, 2015 3:14 PM
What are you personally going to do Cynthia?
Like I said previously Cynthia, what are going to do about your statement, that you think the Israeli press is useless? I am on the other side of the debate because I support Israel wholeheartedly. At least she has a free press, compared to oppressive regimes elsewhere in the world, with no freedom of speech. In terms of action, from a spiritual point of view, I was thinking about the power of prayer, to share a kind word, to smile even though you might not feel like it, is giving. Miracles happen around you all day long. All you have to do is take a moment and pause. As for Israel, there are lots of Friends of Israel groups around. Just scratch the surface and you will soon perhaps join a whole circle of new friends, that might enlighten you further on your journey in life.
London, England
(1) Diane, April 28, 2015 3:43 PM
Forgot one Jewish Group on the front lines in Nepal-Chabad
I had heard about the earthquake from the Chabad House in Nepal. They have been on the front lines even while being affected by the earthquake since it began. On Saturday evening US time, they were putting out news of being refuge for Israelis and other Jews caught there. Also, they had given Israelis,who were going climbing, satellite phones which helped get information and locate those who were stranded.
And, they were coordinating with the Israeli Embassy there from the beginning. So, I believe that they also need to be recognized for the work Chabad is doing there. And, Chabad is also collecting funds fo help them to help the Israelis and other Jews who were stranded in the earliest part before Israel began sending aid. So, kudos to Chabad House Nepal for helping on the front lines and getting the word our though social media like Twitter and Facebook.