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Israel

Israel’s crisis sharpens IsraAID’s global commitments

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While the world sees Israel as a country at war, it’s quietly sending humanitarian aid and vital relief to help save lives in countries in dire straits.

Within days of Cyclone Chido striking Mozambique’s northern Cabo Delgado province on 15 December, leaving more than 190 000 people in desperate need of aid, IsraAID, Israel’s leading humanitarian organisation, was there to help. At the time of writing, IsraAID was in Los Angeles helping to combat the fire devastation in that city.

With powerful winds and torrential rains, Cyclone Chido claimed at least 94 lives in Cabo Delgado and injured hundreds more. In the region, already grappling with ongoing civil conflict, displaced communities were at the mercy of yet another disaster. IsraAID mobilised its emergency response, drawing on five years of experience working in Mozambique, part of its ongoing commitment to the African country.

The organisation provided vital relief after Cyclone Idai in 2019, and Cyclone Eloise in 2021. Its ability to act quickly in the face of catastrophe speaks to its long-term engagement and deep-rooted connections with Mozambican communities. “Building a strong local team ensures that ongoing disaster response is sustainable,” says Yotam Polizer, IsraAID’s chief executive.

“We provide the expertise from Israel – everything from trauma care to water technology, but the key is in the teams we set up and train locally,” he says.

Over the past few weeks, the IsraAID teams in Mozambique have been working to distribute essential supplies, rehabilitate water systems, and rebuild critical infrastructure such as community centres.

“In places like Mozambique, we face what we call ‘neglected disasters’,” says Polizer. “The scale of the crisis is vast, but it remains largely overlooked by the media, and consequently by the international donor community. That’s where we step in, committed to responding regardless of the scale or media coverage.”

But the organisation’s humanitarian work extends well beyond Mozambique. It’s a global force with a network of 300 staff worldwide, providing immediate relief and long-term recovery programmes in 15 countries.

When Israel was thrust into its own crisis on 7 October 2023, IsraAID launched its first-ever emergency response on home soil. In the immediate wake of the violent attacks, the organisation swiftly provided critical support to those affected by the massacre. But despite the urgency of responding domestically, IsraAID’s global mission has remained steadfast as it continues to deliver aid and support to communities in need around the world.

“Even while Israel was reeling from its own tragedy, we continued our international missions,” says Polizer. “The world is fragile, and the expertise we’ve developed in Israel – shaped by our own challenges and experience – is needed now more than ever. It’s not just the right thing to do; it’s the Jewish thing to do.”

From South Sudan to Uganda, Ukraine to Afghanistan, Kenya to Malawi, IsraAID’s teams are committed to ensuring that support reaches even the most overlooked regions.

IsraAID focuses on empowering locals to deal with crises, providing lasting solutions. After Cyclone Idai in 2019, IsraAID trained and supported Mozambican teams, who today are leading the response to Cyclone Chido. “They understand their communities best, and we’ve seen how they’ve managed to mobilise quickly, offering effective relief and support,” says Polizer.

Says Idan Markovich, IsraAID’s senior emergency programmes officer, “Our goal isn’t just to rebuild but to strengthen resilience in the face of future disasters, whether natural or man-made.”

Despite IsraAID’s success on the ground, securing attention and funding for these often-neglected crises remains a challenge. “Media coverage is directly linked to donor funding,” Polizer says. “Disasters that don’t grab headlines often lack the resources they need.”

IsraAID has built a broad and diverse network of support, including private donors, family foundations, international organisations like the United Nations, and various governments and religious groups, allowing it to help those in need, regardless of the circumstances.

Polizer remains resolute in his commitment to IsraAID’s work, regardless of global or political circumstances. “We will always be there, first on the ground, side by side with the communities we serve,” he says. “Our mission is simple: we are here to offer help, whether in Mozambique, Israel, or any other part of the world. Our work is purely humanitarian and non-political, and is appreciated by the vast majority of countries we work in globally. It’s our duty and responsibility to serve all, regardless of ethnicity, religion, politics, or media attention.”

As IsraAID navigates the complexities of today’s global challenges, Polizer remains confident about the organisation’s impact and potential to create meaningful change.

“We’re not just responding to emergencies; we’re building long-term resilience,” he says. “The communities we serve are stronger for our work, and we’re stronger for them. In a world where so many feel overwhelmed by crisis, IsraAID’s commitment to humanitarian action is a reminder that we all have a role to play in building bridges and restoring hope.”

In an all too often divisive world, feelings of helplessness can be overwhelming, but IsraAID’s unwavering commitment to providing life-saving aid and fostering resilience offers a powerful antidote to despair. Whether responding to Cyclone Chido in Mozambique, assisting refugees in Ukraine, or supporting health initiatives in South Sudan, IsraAID’s mission is clear: to be there to make a difference when it matters most, one community at a time.

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