| Israeli rescue experts are heading to hurricane-ravaged Texas to do what they do best: rush to the scene of a natural disaster and dig in to help those hit hardest by the storm.
By Michael Ireland, Chief Correspondent for the ASSIST News Service (www.assistnews.net)
 HOUSTON, TEXAS (ANS – Aug. 30, 2107) — IsraAID, an Israeli international humanitarian organization, said on Tuesday it was sending a team of experts from Israel and the U.S. to assist Texas residents dealing with the after effects of Tropical Storm Harvey, according to United with Israel (https://unitedwithisrael.org).
For 15 years, IsraAID (http://www.israaid.co.il) has been helping people all over the world overcome extreme crises and has provided millions with the vital support needed to move from destruction to reconstruction, and eventually, to sustainable living.
IsraAID, which is coordinating with local Jewish communities, local government in Texas and the Israeli Consul General, plans to deploy 5-7 experts to provide two-stage response to the disaster, with the first stage focusing on removing debris and cleaning homes, then offering psychosocial trauma support to residents.
“In crises with large-scale destruction, national and international aid efforts typically focus on practical, physical support, with limited resources allocated to the mental and emotional rehabilitation of affected populations,” said Yotam Polizer, co-CEO of IsraAID.
“For the most vulnerable groups, notably children and the elderly, time is of critical importance; the longer these groups are forced to remain in shelters, the higher the chance of long-term mental health problems such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a disorder that can have a debilitating and long-term impact.”
Meanwhile, the American Jewish Committee announced a $34,000 grant of aid to the victims of flooding in Texas. This grant will be provided to the American Red Cross, IsraAID and the Jewish Family Service of Houston.
From Crisis Management to Sustainable Living
IsraAID, founded in 2001, is a non-profit, non-governmental organization committed to providing life-saving disaster relief and long term support.
In more than a decade, IsraAID has: Responded to crises in 39 countries, reached over 1,000,000 people, distributed over 1,000 tons of relief and medical supplies, trained more than 5,000 local professionals, and mobilized morethan 850 staff, volunteers, and professionals (a majority of them doctors, nurses, therapists and social workers).
Emergency Response & Humanitarian Aid
IsraAID says that when a natural disaster strikes, “time is of the essence.”
“Every passing hour dramatically reduces survival rates and hampers recovery efforts. We respond immediately, with our relief teams among the first to arrive on the ground, providing life-saving medical care, food and supplies, as well as cleaning and construction materials.”
Types of Projects:
- Search and Rescue and Relief Items Distribution
- Cleaning and Reconstruction
- Emergency Medical & Psycho-social Response
- Community Mobilization
Sustainable Development
The IsraAID group states that: “Once the immediate needs of a population in crisis have been addressed, we consider the long-term question of how we can help these local communities attain stable living without relying on humanitarian aid. This is the most vital transition and is often highlighted as being the most important phase of development. To succeed, we strongly emphasize developing local abilities through training, social empowerment, and economic growth.”
Types of Projects IsraAID is involved with:
- Mental & Physical Health programs
- Economic Development
- Social Development (Women empowerment, Gender-Based-Violence, child protection and psycho-social support)
- Education & Awareness
Its website states: “For over a decade, our teams of professional medics, search & rescue squads, post-trauma experts and community mobilizers, have been first on the front lines of nearly every major humanitarian response in the 21st century. Our mission is to efficiently support and meet the changing needs of populations as they strive to move from crisis to reconstruction/rehabilitation, and eventually, to sustainable living.”
Core Values: Professionalism
IsraAID says: “One of our trademarks is our ability to draw from ever expanding networks of highly experienced professionals. From world leading therapists to top agronomists, we offer innovative solutions and day -to-day sustainability through our team of seasoned and dedicated aid workers.”
Innovation & Dynamism
The organization says: “Every crisis is different, and so are the people it affects. After more than a decade operating in some of the most challenging and unstable environments around the globe, we have been able to create an efficient framework of support for both long term and short term needs.”
Partnership & Sustainability
The group states: “It is our belief that the local population must be involved at every stage of a project – from planning to implementation, all the way to the final monitoring and evaluation. For this reason, we have built strong connections with all significant parties operating in each region such as government, international and national organizations, and the local communities themselves.”
IsraAID Contact information: Phone: +972 (0) 3 947 7766; Fax: +972 (0) 3 947 7767; Email: info@israelaid.org . Address: For mail: PO Box 39157, 6139101, Tel Aviv, Israel.
To meet: Beit Hatfutsot Office 711, Tel Aviv University, 15 Klauzner St., 6139202, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Photo captions: 1) IsraAID responds to Hurricane Harvey. 2) IsraAID Logo 3) Michael Ireland.
About the Writer: Michael Ireland is a volunteer internet journalist serving as Chief Correspondent for the ASSIST News Service, as well as an Ordained Minister, and an award-winning local cable-TV program host/producer who has served with ASSIST Ministries and written for ANS since its beginning in 1989. He has reported for ANS from Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Israel, Jordan, China, and Russia. You may follow Michael on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Michael-Ireland-Media-Missionary-234951783610/ and on Twitter at @Michael_ASSIST. Please consider helping Michael cover his expenses in bringing news of the Persecuted Church, by logging-on to: https://actintl.givingfuel.com/ireland-michael
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