An Israeli field hospital in Haiti set up by a disaster relief team from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has treated 960 victims, including dozens of children, since a 7.0-magnitude earthquake devastated the island nation on Jan. 12.

Israelis have performed more than 290 lifesaving operations and delivered 16 babies in the hospital’s maternity ward. Four Haitians have been rescued with the assistance of the IDF search-and-rescue team.[1]

Many nations worked together to save those affected by the earthquake, including Israel and the United States. Speaking about their experiences:

• Shachar Zahavi, founder and coordinator of IsraAID, The Israel Forum for International Humanitarian Aid which is in Haiti working with earthquake victims: "IsraAID is happy to be associated with many American individuals, public figures and NGOs who help support our work in the field. We find that such a partnership allows us to reach more people and extend our hand to whomever needs it. We believe that the overwhelming presence and aid that the American government and its civil society are offering Haiti will enable that country to rehabilitate itself."[2]

• Deputy commander of the IDF field hospital Lt. Commander Danny Moshayev: "We have excellent cooperation with the U.S. Naval Ship Comfort. We send them patients who have been treated at the IDF hospital for further treatment. In addition, we are also in the process of sending patients to the University of Miami hospital in Port-au-Prince. Each patient is transferred with a file containing medical history, lab tests and a CD with X-ray photos."[3]

• Commander of the IDF field hospital Col. Dr. Itzik Kreiss: "Disaster relief is not an effort of one nation, but rather an expression of collaboration between countries, organizations and people. We are highly appreciative of the level of collaboration from our American fellows and comrades. This cooperation saved many lives. This is further proof that disaster relief has no frontiers and medicine is a true bridge between people."[4]

Meanwhile, Israel continues to transport supplies to Palestinians in Gaza through its border crossings into the Gaza Strip. Today (Jan. 25), 68 truckloads of humanitarian aid passed through the goods crossings from Israel into Gaza. From Jan. 19, 2009 – Jan. 16, 2010, 724,925 tons of humanitarian aid were delivered to Gaza. That represents a 900 percent increase in humanitarian aid delivered there compared to 2008.[5]

In addition, on Jan. 23, Israeli authorities authorized the transfer of $6.7 million (25 million shekels) to Gaza residents entitled to social security and pension payments from Israel due to having worked inside the country in previous years.[6]

By the Numbers: Breakdown of Israel’s Facilitation of Aid to Gaza

• 900: Percent increase in humanitarian aid delivered to Gaza in 2009, compared to 2008.[7]

• 724,925: Tons of humanitarian aid delivered to the Gaza Strip, Jan. 19, 2009 – Jan. 16, 2010.[8] 

• 29 million gallons (110 million liters): Heavy-duty diesel fuel for the Gaza power station delivered to the Gaza Strip since Jan. 19, 2009.[9]

• 10,346: Gaza residents who entered Israel for medical and humanitarian reasons, Jan.19 – Nov. 7, 2009.[10]

• 11,508 tons: Monthly average of humanitarian aid entering Gaza from February – June 2008, a period of intense rocket fire prior to Israel’s defensive operation in Gaza.[11]

• 34,253 tons: Monthly average of humanitarian aid entering Gaza during period of calm prior to Israel’s defensive operation in Gaza, July - December 2008.[12]

• 18,500: Permits Israel issued to Gaza residents to enter Israel or travel overseas in 2009.[13]

• 3,500: Blankets provided by the United Nations (UN) for Palestinian civilians stolen, by Hamas.[14]

• 400: Food deliveries provided by the UN for Palestinian civilians, stolen by Hamas.[15]

• 1.3 million: Carnations exported from Gaza via Israel to the EU as of Jan. 17, 2010.[16]

• 41: Tons of strawberries exported from Gaza via Israel to the EU as of Jan. 17, 2010.[17]

• 28,400: Flowers from Gaza exported to Europe on Dec. 10, 2009.[18]

• $6.7 million (25 million shekels): Money authorized for transfer on Jan. 24, 2010 to Gaza residents entitled to social security and pension payments from Israel.[19]

International Relief Efforts for Haiti

United States

• The U.S. deployed the U.S. Naval Ship Comfort, a medical treatment facility, to treat victims of the earthquake in Haiti. As of Jan. 23, medical staff aboard the USNS Comfort had treated more than 1,400 patients and performed more than 90 surgeries.[20]

• The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) provided more than $179 million in aid to Haiti since the earthquake struck on Jan. 12.[21]

• USAID supplied 3,552 kitchen sets, which are benefitting more than 17,000 people.[22] It has also provided 400 rolls of plastic sheeting for the temporary shelter of 20,000 people made homeless by the disaster. USAID has also supplied water, fuel and rubble removal equipment.[23]

Canada

• The Canadian government provided $5 million for emergency shelter, medical services, food, relief items, water and sanitation services, and security.[24]

• In total, Canada designated $135 million for humanitarian assistance, relief and reconstruction efforts.[25]

• The Canadian Red Cross provided a shipment of tents to shelter up to 1,500 people, and it raised more than $51 million in donations for its Haiti relief efforts.[26]

United Kingdom

• The United Kingdom pledged more than $30 million for immediate humanitarian assistance.[27]

• The British government deployed a 64-member search-and-rescue team to Haiti with heavy rescue equipment to facilitate the rescue efforts in Port-au-Prince.[28]

• In addition, the UK provided $1.6 million to the International Federation of the Red Cross, earmarked for food, shelter, water and other immediate needs for 20,000 families; $3.2 million to the World Food Program for transport and logistics; $1.6 million to assist with aid coordination to ensure the right aid reaches those who need it quickly; and $500,000 to the World Health Organization for disease surveillance to help prevent epidemics.[29]

Israel

• Israel’s 250-member emergency relief delegation from the IDF Home Front Command, which comprised a search and rescue team as well as medical staff for the field hospital, landed in Haiti on Jan. 15.[30] The hospital consists of operating rooms; an intensive care ward; a maternity ward; a pediatric ward; incubator units; a pharmacy; x-ray equipment; 90 beds; 66 intensive care beds; and two delivery beds.[31]

• As of Jan. 23, the Israeli field hospital had treated 739 people, including dozens of children. 241 lifesaving operations have been performed and 12 babies were delivered in the center’s maternity ward.[32]

• On Friday (Jan. 22), the Israeli search and rescue team pulled a 22-year old man from the rubble after being trapped for 11 days. He was transferred to the Israeli field hospital in stable condition and is receiving further treatment. Said Dr. Anat Engel, one of the doctors treating the man, “It is a miracle. It is amazing that he is still alive. It made us all very happy to see this.”

• In addition to the IDF team, the Israel Forum for International Aid (IsraAID), a coordinating body of Israeli and Jewish NGOs, sent a delegation of 27 medical and logistical staff to Haiti which has provided emergency medical assistance and distributed humanitarian supplies. Israel’s emergency medicine and ambulance service, Magen David Adom, also sent a team to Port-au-Prince, which has assisted in providing medical assistance at the Red Cross field hospital.[33]

Examples of Israel’s Past Disaster Relief Efforts

• In response to the Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004, Israel provided $100,000 in aid for each affected country.[34] Israel sent 82 tons of supplies to Sri Lanka, including 10,000 blankets, 972 gallons (3,680 liters) of mineral water, 12 tons of food, 17.5 tons of baby food, more than nine tons of medicine and additional supplies such as generators, tents, beds and mattresses.[35] IsraAID sent a humanitarian team of 14 medical and logistical personnel to Sri Lanka to assist people affected by the tsunami, although the Sri Lankan government refused a 150-member IDF disaster relief team.

• Following the 1999 Izmit earthquake in Turkey, Israel sent a 250-member disaster relief team to the affected areas. Israel also established a field hospital comprising two hospital wards for adults and children, an isolation room, an operating room, an x-ray laboratory, two clinics and medical equipment. The Israeli government and public provided 75 tons of supplies.[36]

• In response to a 7.9-magnitude earthquake which struck the Indian state of Gujarat in 2001, Israel sent a disaster relief team of 150 personnel as well as a field hospital to treat victims. The hospital treated 1,211 people and delivered 12 babies. Members of the delegation also participated in search and rescue efforts to recover survivors buried in rubble following the earthquake.[37]

MASHAV – Israel’s Center for International Cooperation

• Israel’s Center for International Cooperation (MASHAV) is the Israeli foreign ministry’s international development program. MASHAV assists countries striving to alleviate global problems of hunger, disease and poverty by providing technical training and sharing technology to improve quality of life.

• MASHAV runs numerous projects covering different aspects of international development. Examples of MASHAV programs include:

o The Agriculture and Food Security Program: This project is designed to help countries with harsh agricultural conditions and problems providing food to its population to find the most effective ways to use their land. The ultimate goal of the program is to attain food security for the country in question.[38]

o The Eye Camps Program: MASHAV dispatches Israeli eye doctors to countries throughout the developing world to treat preventable blindness and ocular disease. Teams of Israeli doctors set up “eye camps” for up to two weeks, bringing with them extensive treatment equipment often unavailable in the host country. During the course of their mission, they conduct hundreds of examinations, perform dozens of operations to restore sight, train local staff and often donate needed medical equipment at the end of their stay.[39]

o Poverty Reduction through Rural and Community Development Program: MASHAV works with numerous international organizations, including the World Bank and UNESCO, in developing grassroots-oriented, community-driven programming. Through this program, MASHAV strives to improve the economic situation of communities through training for effective community development and encouraging collaborative action, networking and cooperative building. The program also focuses on building and strengthening civil society by encouraging the participation of women in social action in all areas of society, developing women leaders and providing support for their entrepreneurship.[40]