The following statement elaborated in much detail the efforts of the Israeli medical team which was sent to Goma, on the Rwanda-Zaire border, on 25 July. This effo r t, . called Operation Interns for Hope, was in line with Israel's humanitarian aid in a number of places throughout the world where such aid was required. All these efforts were made in coordination with various international organizations, the chief one being the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Text:
1. On 22 July 1994, the Israeli Government decided to send emergency medical aid to the Rwandan refugees. The aid comprises medical personnel and equipment, including an IDF field hospital, flown to Zaire by Israeli Air Force airlift. The relief delegation was led by Environment Minister Yossi Sarid.
2. It was decided to set up the field hospital in Goma, Zaire, where the UNHCR Center and the logistics base of the French Force ("Operation Turquoise') are located. The number of Rwandan refugees in the area of Goma is estimated at between one and two million.
3. The Israeli representative to the U.N. institutions in Geneva maintains regular contact with the UNHCR civilian-military coordinating team, from which he received permission for the Israeli operation and made the necessary landing arrangements in Goma, and from which the IDF received the necessary permission through international military liaison. The Israeli embassies in Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Asmara and Cairo obtained overflight rights from countries on the airlift's flight path. The Israeli ambassador in Kinshasa obtained the permission of the Zairean authorities for the arrival of the IDF delegation, including their right to wear uniforms and carry arms.
4. The situation room at the Israeli Foreign Ministry has received many calls from citizens and organizations prepared to volunteer for the operation, and to take in, or even adopt, orphaned children from Rwanda.
5. On July 24, a coordination meeting was held at the Foreign Ministry. The possibility of integrating volunteers from non-governmental organizations, such as Magen David Adom, at a later stage, was raised.
6. On July 25, at 06:00 hours, the first Israeli plane landed in Goma and was received by the head of the regional Zairean authorities and the head of protocol of the Zairean Foreign Ministry. With the help of the UNHCR, locations were found for the hospital center as well as for the emergency ambulatory center. The heads of the Israeli delegation later met with the prime minister of Zaire.
7. The Israeli delegation comprises about 50 medical staff and an additional 30 auxiliary staff, Eight Hercules planes brought the delegation to Goma. This is the largest medical aid mission ever sent abroad by the IDF.
8. The field hospital contains 120 beds. The Israeli team is organized to function independently, without outside assistance and its current supplies, meant to last for two weeks, will be replenished as necessary.
9. The continuation of the operation will be evaluated periodically, taking into consideration the situation in the field. A new team will be sent if conditions warrant it.
10. The Israeli team worked throughout the night on which it arrived, and the field hospital was soon functioning. Treatment began on July 26, and aside from the local hospital in Goma, the Israeli operating rooms are the only ones in the area.
11. The French organization "Medicins Sans Frontiers" operating in the areas, has already asked to coordinate efforts with the Israeli delegation. Environment Minister Sarid met with the heads of the French unit which coordinates all French activity in the area, both military and medical.
12. As of 29 July the team of the IDF field hospital had saved at least 300 lives.
13. On Sunday, 31 July 94, the cabinet decided to maintain the medical team in Goma for another three weeks. The Government will decide, within a few days, whether to continue the aid beyond then. Estimated costs now range from NIS 50-60 million. Magen David Adom has inaugurated a fund-raising campaign for Rwandan refugees. The funds will be used to purchase medical equipment, disinfectants for the water supply, food and other supplies that have been recommended by the IDF medical team.
14. The following is a list of past IDF medical aid missions:
end of 1979 A small team was sent to Cambodia, where it treated refugees on the Thailand border. The team spent a month and a half there.
1986 A medical corps mission was sent to Cameroon to treat those injured in the volcanic eruption there. The 16-member team spent two weeks on the site and treated thousands of people suffering from respiratory problems and chemical burns.
December 1988 A medical team went to Armenia following the earthquake there. Some 2,500 people were treated at the Israeli field hospital
June 1989 A team of six persons from the medical corps spent ten days in Moscow, treating those injured in the Ural Mountains train accident.
December 1989 Medical aid was sent to Romania.
April 1991 Medical aid was sent to Kurds in Turkey.
August 1992 Medical aid was sent to Bosnia.