Israel is often called upon to dispatch aid to countries in the wake of flood, famine, and other natural disasters. MASHAV, the Center for International Cooperation of Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is the body responsible for coordinating Israel's official humanitarian assistance program. In these cases, MASHAV is able to use its vast experience in crisis response in order to rapidly dispatch needed supplies, medicines, and medical assistance to countries in crisis.
In the last few years, MASHAV has sent numerous teams to partner countries to instruct professionals in Emergency and Disaster Medicine. These teams train cadres of doctors, nurses, medical technicians, and administrators to deal with mass casualty events and to treat multiple trauma patients, sharing clinical expertise and procedures for organizing a triaged response to mass casualty events. Theoretical training is accompanied by practical simulation exercises, sometimes with the participation of Civil Defense, Firefighters, Police, and Hospitals, in accordance with scenarios relevant to the specific region.
For many years MASHAV has been conducting blindness prevention and eye-care missions in partner countries. These missions, designed to treat patients suffering from various degrees of blindness and ocular disease, are undertaken by teams of two Israeli ophthalmologists and operate on the premises of local hospitals or clinics. Hundreds of surgical procedures are performed by the visiting Israeli teams which work together with local staff, restoring sight to many of the patients. Israeli ophthalmologists also train the local personnel, and ophthalmologic equipment and supplies are donated by the Government of Israel.
The following is the periodic report of MASHAV activities in this field.
Humanitarian Aid Shipments
* On May 2008, a first shipment was sent to China to the earthquake zone in Sichuan Province, containing 3.5 tons of equipment, including blankets, sleeping bags, and water purifiers (US$ 100,000).
A jumbo jet was dispatched to the earthquake zone in China's Sichuan Province later on, with equipment valued at US$1.4 million that included tents, blankets, sleeping bags, medicines, generators, operating beds, equipment for medical operations, medical devices (such as ECG), and water purification systems. The Israeli aircraft landed with an Israeli flag on each side at the same time as an Indonesian aircraft landed with equipment worth US$1.5 million.
We are examining the possibility of setting up a clinic or adopting one of the affected regions, and upgrading the medical setup there (dependent on the remaining balance of donations). An integrated delegation (based on instructions from the Chinese) is being organized to go examine the needs and build a rehabilitation plan.
* Seven tons of medical equipment for the casualties of the Myanmar earthquake were dispatched. We are examining the possibility of upgrading the initial medical setup at the camps by providing training and counseling, and shipping equipment and medicines.
We are assessing the situation and preparing to upgrade the initial medical setup at the Burmese refugee camps in Northern Thailand.
* Aid with an emphasis on medical equipment and medicines on a large- and medium-size scale, was dispatched at the end of 2007 and the beginning of 2008 to Nicaragua, Moldova, Uganda, Kenya, Bangui - Central African Republic (Darfur refugees), Nigeria, the Ivory Coast and the Congo.
* Two ambulances were donated for populations in the outlying regions of Kenya.
Eye camps
Eye camps continue to be held throughout the African continent: Northern Kenya-Kakoma for Sudanese refugees in collaboration with the UNHCR, Cameroon, Angola, Zambia, Mozambique, Tanzania and Abidjan.
Upgrading Medical Infrastructure
* Our medical network in Ethiopia is being expanded and upgraded.
* Two infrastructure upgrading projects were established in Eritrea: A treatment unit for diving casualties was established in Massawa, and an intensive care unit (ICU) in Asmara.
* A dialysis unit was established in Dakar, Senegal, and assistance in maintenance and training was provided.
Neonatology Units
MASHAV is in advanced stages of setting up two units in Ghana (Kumasi) to reduce infant mortality. One unit was completed recently, and we are preparing training courses and supplementary counseling to put it into service. Preparations are underway for the construction of the second unit and putting it into service. This will be followed by counseling and training.
Water
* China is making preparations for a joint project with the Israel Corporation to set up a potable water supply and purification plant in a district town in Sichuan Province.
* We are carrying out a water supply and purification project for the Komfo Anokye Medical Center in the city of Kumasi, Ghana.
Preparations for emergencies and terrorist attacks involving large scale casualties
Training and counseling was provided in Mumbai, India; Uganda; Kumasi, Ghana; Nairobi, Kenya; for all the bodies involved in handling disasters, such as relevant government ministries, the entire medical establishment, the fire brigade, the local authorities, the airports authority, the police, etc.
Assistance with rehabilitation of the disabled
The many civil wars on the continent have led to a large percentage of amputees, particularly among the local population. Extensive assistance in this area has been given to Angola, Cameroon and Uzbekistan, including the dispatch of equipment such as wheelchairs and accessories for the disabled, as well as setting up workshops to maintain the equipment and accessories sent by MASHAV to the countries in need.
Mobile clinics
* Cambodia: We are purchasing and outfitting mobile units in order to set up a medical system for mother and child care in the rural regions of Cambodia.
* Pacific region: Preparations are underway to station two doctors in Nauru for a two-month period.
* We are formulating a diabetes treatment program in collaboration with the Americans for the Pacific region, with a pilot program in Samoa and Palau, including sending experts and building an extensive program in conjunction with several hospitals in Israel.
* Vanuatu: A doctor recently completed a one-and-a-half month mission in family medicine and organization of public health.
Cooperation with UN organizations
WHO: Preparations are underway to implement a joint program. Decision makers and experts involved in preparing for emergencies in Eastern Europe and the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) recently came to Israel to study and further their knowledge on the topic. The first phase took place in June of this year with 25 senior personnel coming to Israel for this purpose. The second phase involves promoting a multi-year agreement with the WHO to train senior personnel in Israel.
UNECE: We are working on a plan to promote a joint water security program in the Eurasian countries.
UNHCR: Cooperation on water and sanitation issues at refugee camps (Kakoma, Kenya; Bangui, Central African Republic; Burma and Chad) is being promoted. In addition, Israeli experts are slated to be added to the organization's database of experts.
Compiled by Dr. Yossi Baratz, MASHAV’s Advisor for Health Matters and Humanitarian Assistance, and Ms. Yona Yogev - July 2008