Activities

Magen David Adom in Israel -Humanitarian Activities Report

2006-2009

International Programs -

EMS Capacity Building

SRI LANKA - setting Ambulance & Emergency Medical Services

Multi-phased project for Sri Lanka health systems, aiming to outset public ambulance services and reinforce the Sri Lankan response during emergencies.

•   "Improvement of Emergency Treatment and Health Systems" two-week workshop, in which 20 representatives from leading Sri Lanka health systems and ministries were hosted in MDA.
•    Consultation on establishing and operating an emergency call center in Galle district.
•   February 2008 - Training Sri Lankan medical teams - three MDA senior instructors led two-week training teaching behavior and response in mass casualty incidents.

The program was implemented by MDA, with the generous support of the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), the Ministry of Health (MoH) and MASHAV.

GEORGIA

MDA-Georgian Red Cross fruitful cooperation is various and ranges from programs for development of medical teams, through first aid workshops for teams & instruction of future trainers, and mutual assistance. During 2008 and in the beginning of 2009, MDA and GRC worked jointly for setting up a library, renovation of a First Aid training facility, and installation of heating system. 

Georgia Red Cross received MDA support during the recent conflict in the country (Russia-Georgia war). Beside MDA liaison and coordination for the supply of assistance from Israeli organizations and government into Georgia, it also undertook the logistic arrangements and transfer of 20 injured from Georgia, who were air-transported to Israel for medical care.

Upon the first day of the conflict outbreak, JDC on behalf of MDA made a prompt transfer of 50'000 USD to the Georgian Red Cross. 

All activities were supported by the JDC, MDAUK and MASHAV.

AZERBAIJAN

MDA-Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society established bilateral relations in 2007.  A number of MDA instructions were deployed to Azerbaijan for various trainings, which were provided to the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society medical teams in all levels.

·         First Aid trainings of trainers

·         Academic medical articles and materials

·         Torrential consultation on establishing and maintaining network of volunteers

·         Renovation works - A new training facility (classroom) was renovated in Kuba in the north,  including furniture and computerization equipment such as laptop and projector.

·         In August 2009 MDA, JDC and "Eye from Zion" will deploy a delegation of ophthalmologists to Baku. The delegation will carry out a hearing aid project, and provide kids and adults from unfortunate populations with hearing aids. In parallel, two of MDA senior instructors will lead training to local Red Crescent teams on first aid and preparedness to emergencies in the community.

The above activities are supported by the JDC, MDAUK and MASHAV.

JORDAN

MDA is a part of the CERC (Center of Education for Reconciliation and Cooperation) Diplomatic Forum of Israeli-Jordanian Cooperation.

MDA and Jordan Red Crescent (JRC) carry out prosperous programs, and conduct cooperation in many levels. Each year JRC youth delegation participates in MDA annual youth exchange and seminars, a JRC delegation took part in MDA Championship 2008 and presented the JRC Ambulance.

Pre-Paramedic Training, December 2008, Amman. The training was led by two of MDA senior EMS instructors, held in Arabic, and approached by 25 JRC staff members. MDA delivered Medical equipment to JRC, for the benefit of medical staff and future trainers. The 8-day-training was concluded with an impressive drill.

CHINA

On March 2008, MDA paid a visit at the Chinese Red Cross Society, for establishing mutual programs. MDA is officially nominated as the consulting body to the Olympic Games.

In parallel, MDA working in cooperation with the Beijing City Hall - Health Division, when the first program took place at the end of March, when MDA expertise lead a conference on Mass Casualty Incidents, and participated in mutual discussion with Chinese medical management teams in Beijing.

INDONESIA

MDA and its Indonesian counterpart, 118EAS - Indonesia Emergency Ambulance Services organization, founded the basis for cooperation in April 2008. Since then, the two organizations work intensively for promoting joint trainings and workshops, to extend Indonesia preparedness to mass casualty incidents, alongside to programs specifically drawn to provide medical teams with the tools to support populations affected by the Tsunami. MDA benefits the Indonesian vast knowledge and experiences on earthquake preparedness.

Workshop on Mass Casualty Incidents in Israel - May 2008

First Indonesian delegation in Israel

A delegation of 23 doctors, nurses, paramedics and psychiatrists arrived in Israel for participating in MDA Mass Casualty Incidents (MCI) comprehensive workshop, which provided them with essential tools to confront MCI, including inter-organizational cooperation in the country in times of a disaster. Dr. Teddy Boen and Dr. Yahya Adib from Indonesia, who are world-known experts and advisors on earthquake preparedness related issues, shared with MDA and other Israeli counterparts the Indonesian valued experience and practices in earthquake preparedness.

Ceremonial Cooperation agreements, 29 October 2008

Signing of the ceremonial cooperation agreements between MDA and 118EAS in Tel-Aviv, witnessed by senior figures of Indonesia - Muhammadiyah social movement (which operates numerous hospitals, orphanages, clinics) -Dr. Markus Sudibyo, Chairman of National Board & Dr. Muhammad Natsir Nugroho, Chair of Council for Health and Community Welfare, and by Dr. Amos Avgar, Executive Director International Development Programs, JDC. The honorary occasion marked the inauguration of a fruitful cooperation.

Orphanage renovation works by MDA\JDC

MDA/JDC partnership in response to the tsunami focused on exporting Israeli expertise while delivering humanitarian relief in post-disaster situations. Yogyakarta orphanage assists boys and girls, survivors of disaster or victims of poverty whose ages range from four to fifteen, by improving their basic sanitary and living conditions, and with locals, develop educational programs provide the children a brighter future once they are ready to leave the orphanage. The first phase of the renovation works was completed on January 2009. A second phase started in July 2009, and includes construction of the girls' bedrooms, girls' study room, porch, stairs, boys' well, roof, kitchen area, windows and doors, painting works. It will also include furniture and shelves for the study room.

Boys section completed, a new structure and a new roof ready for the rainy season

Badly damaged boys section

 

Floods in South Jakarta

Following the disaster that was resulted by a cracking of the Situ Gintung Dam wall in south Jakarta on Friday, March 27th 2009, the JDC in partnership with MDA allocated 20'000 USD to the victims of the flood and for the rehabilitation of the area. JDC/MDA contribution was designated to assist the Muhammadiyah university students and premises that were affected by the disaster.

Paramedic Workshop, 26.7-6.8.2009

118 EAS will conduct a two week Paramedic workshop, attended by decision makers, paramedics from 18 regions in Indonesia, The Indonesian Red Cross, Scouts, Fire Brigade, Toll Roads, representatives from the Muhammadiyah movement, Christian Medical Organization (YAKKUM), and others. The program outlined is 118EAS Foundation first effort to gather participants from Tsunami & disaster prone related regions, to lay the foundations for a homogenous understanding of the Paramedics function, their role in assisting the Pre Hospital Medical Emergency care (Day to Day & Disaster / Mass Casualties), and better prepared for the day to day & the next major disaster / mass casualties.

The main aim of the program is to form one, homogenous Paramedic Training Program for Indonesia, specifically one Curriculum for the Indonesian Paramedics.

Representatives from Sri Lanka and Jordan National Societies were invited to take part in the training and share the EMS functions in their countries. During the visit, MDA personnel will present the protocols as are in Israel, and form local protocols for local hospitals and health system in Indonesia.

UGANDA Red Cross

Following the thriving cooperation in 2005, an MDA delegation was deployed for a further First Aid training, this time in Mbaraara County. The two-week course was delivered to the Uganda Red Cross staff and volunteers.

Further cooperation programs are to be developed in late 2009.

HAITI Red Cross

Flash floods caused by torrential rains, struck on Haiti, the main island of French Polynesia in January 2009. The strong currents of the Papenoo River caused severe damage and loss of lives.

MDA and the JDC handed support to the local Red Cross, donating 50'000 USD as humanitarian aid to the relief of the local population affected.

TURKISH Red Crescent Society

During and followed by the conflict in southern Israel and Gaza, MDA cooperation coordinator and the Turkish Red Crescent representatives stationed in Tel-Aviv held ongoing communication and regular coordination meetings, aiming to facilitate the transport of humanitarian support to the Palestinian population in Gaza.

A memorandum of Understanding was signed between the two sister National Societies in February 2009, an agreement which laid the basis for a prosperous cooperation in various fields.

In March 2009 MDA welcomed the TRC President, Mr. Tekin Kucukali, to an official visit.

MYANMAR Red Cross Society

January 2009 - first MDA visit to Myanmar to examine potential joint humanitarian ventures, following the Cyclone in Myanmar, and to assist the populations affected by the Tsunami. The successful visit led to an additional assessment tour during 7-17 June in the Delta, when both institutions agreed on mutual field of interest, and a letter of Agreement was formed and signed between MDA and the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS).

MDA in cooperation with the JDC and the MRCS will build a primary school; carry a "Help the Helpers" - PSP program - which will support the local MRCS teams who are dealing with major stress; an eye surgery project - Israeli and Myanmar medical team will provide medical care - eye surgeries to local patients - at the township/regional hospital. The program will be carried out in cooperation with the JDC and "Eye from Zion". Prior to its implementation, the said doctors will take part in training in Israel (October 2009). Their attendance will be supported by The MFA (MASHAV). The overall program in Myanmar is supported by the JDC.

Official visits in MDA

Aiming to enhance the MDA integration in the International Movement of the Red Cross Red Crescent, it seeks for opportunities to share and present the organization's capacities and humanitarian endeavor worldwide. In this spirit, many official visits of the highest levels were paid during 2007 to 2009. While promoting mutual cooperation programs, MDA hosted the following delegations:

Jamaica Red Cross - During July 2009 MDA hosted Dr. Jaslin Salmon for an introduction of Magen David Adom and identification of mutual fields of interest.  

German Red Cross (GRC) International Coordinator - MDA Director General, Mr. Eli Bin, and Chaim Rafalowski, MDA DM coordinator, accompanied by four of MDA volunteers, paid a visit at the German Red Cross in November 2008.  Following the successful visit, Mrs. Anette Muller was invited to take part in meetings with MDA management for strengthening the cooperation between the two national societies to further scopes.  Her visit took place in July.

Communication IFRC Geneva - 16 June, 2009. Mrs. Dorothea Krimitsas, Media relations officer for Middle East & North Africa, paid an extensive visit in Israel. In this framework Mrs. Krimitsas, conducted her first visit in MDA and met with MDA Cooperation Coordinator who provided an inclusive briefing on MDA vast efforts during the conflict in southern Israel & Gaza, and the enormous challenges with which Israeli inhabitants suffering of terror and rockets attacks deal. The visit was concluded in agreement that a concrete need for a constructive work between the ICRC and MDA is identified, namely encouraging extensive visibility of the distress among vulnerable populations in Israel to be followed by the ICRC support. Further more in-depth visits are planned to take place in the upcoming months.

Australian Red Cross (AusRC) - March, 2009. Mr. Robert Tickner, CEO of AusRC, was hosted in MDA for a series of meetings and took part in a tour in MDA EMS station of Sachnin in the Galilee.

ICRC Tracing Department - 19 March, 2009. Following MDA dedication to increasing the tracing work, it made an immense step forward. Mr. Beat Schweizer (Assistant Director) and Mr. Udo Wagner (Adviser) met with MDA tracing officer, Mr. Borya Kozokin, and learned about MDA progress in this field and future prospects. 

British Red Cross (BRC) - 26 March, 2009. Mr. Kevin Studds, Head of Tracing Services at the BRC, met with his MDA counterpart, Mr. Borya Kozokin. The two exchanged experiences and ideas. Mr. Studds was highly impressed by MDA tracing procedures and recent trainings for volunteers, and expressed the BRC strong commitment to support MDA in further development of programs and knowledge.

Chinese Red Cross (CRC) - Dr. Noam Yifrach, Chairman of Executive Committee, paid a visit to the CRC in Beijing, signing MoU for cooperation between the two organizations in March 2008.

German Red Cross regional representatives - Visit of Mr. Kai Leonhardt - Regional GRC Delegate, and Ms. Katrin Wirsching - Head of GRC office in Israel and Palestine. The visit facilitated the strengthening of cooperation between MDA and the GRC. Among other joint programs, exchange of knowledge on water rescue training is expected to take place in 2009.

IFRC President - April 2008, MDA welcomed Mr. Markku Niskala, Secretary General of the International Federation of the Red Cross movement in Israel. Mr. Niskala was accompanied by Mr. Christopher Lamb - a senior figure at the IFRC. During his visit Mr. Niskala expressed the need of reinforce MDA's integration within the movement, acknowledging the great humanitarian contribution it carries. Mr. Niskala and Mr. Lamb visited MDA's facilities, were given first hand impressions on MDA mission and services. The honorable guests were invited to the MASHAV, followed by a visit at "Yad Vashem" Holocaust museum.

Korean Red Cross - May 2008. MDA Chairman of Executive Committee, Dr. Noam Yifrach, was invited to Seoul for a respectable occasion, in which he was granted the Taegug Award - the South Korean Most Honorable Award for his commitment to world peace. Dr. Yifrach was also granted Honorary Doctoral Degree of Philosophy by the President of Hanseo University - Mr. Ham Kee-Sun, for his great contribution and promotion of peace.

Disaster Management - International Conferences & Trainings:

• RDRT - Regional Disaster Response Teams training (16-25.2.2009, Macedonia).

Organized by the IFRC Europe Zone office.

Two MDA personnel learned about needs assessment process in disasters (such as an earthquake, flood or any other natural or man-made large-scale calamity). Among the many issues discussed were: camp management of internally displaced populations, water & sanitation, nutrition, health issues, media. They also practiced writing reports and launch of requests for support. The regional training included participants from National Societies all through the Balkan, central Asia and Russia. The course was held in Russian.

• Study tour at German Red Cross - In November 2008, MDA DM coordinator, Mr. Chaim Rafalowski, and a delegation of four MDA volunteers were invited by the GRC for a study tour in Germany. While visiting four different branched they received first hand impressions on the GRC work nationwide in respect of the disaster management work.
• RED Conference (29-30 January, Milan Italy)

Hosted by the Italian Red Cross. Mr. Chaim Rafalowski, Disaster Management Coordinator, delivered a lecture on Mass Casualty Incidents.

• Rescue and Disaster Management Training (8-22 June, Patras Greece).

Seven of MDA volunteers and employees headed to Greece to participate in the annual national Balkan training in Greece, where they practiced water rescue and other issues of Disaster Management.  At the date of their arrival there occurred an earthquake in Athens. Right upon the delegation's landing, they were dispatched at the epicenter area to support the Greek rescue teams.

• RDRT - Regional Disaster Response Teams training (21-29 May, Bosnia-Herzegovina).

The regional training was organized by the IFRC Europe Zone office and the Bosnian Red Cross Society. 4 MDA personnel learned about assessment process in times of disaster, as well as issues related to nutrition, camp management, water and sanitation and more. The regional training included participants from National Societies in the Balkan and central Asia, among them: Serbia, Macedonia, Albania, Bulgaria, Kosovo, Armenia.

• Psychological Support Program (PSP) Meeting (6-10 May, Rome Italy)

Two MDA participants joined a workshop on PSP, discussing ways to develop PSP initiatives and regional cooperation. The participating National Societies were: Palestinian Red Crescent, Egypt Red Crescent, Jordan Red Crescent and MDA.

• VCA -Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment Training of Trainers (25-30 June, Albania)

2 MDA delegates participated the 6-day training, aiming to enhance the National Society's based community operation in times of disaster.

MDA activities during the War in Southern Israel

With the beginning of the "Cast Lead" operation, which responded to the escalation of the conflict in southern Israel, the movement cooperation coordination office held direct communication with various figures at the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, sending daily reports on the situation in the south, along with pointing out MDA needs for allocating urgent resources to support the affected populations in the south, counting over million residents put under daily rocket attack.

A preliminary emergency appeal was launched to the International Federation of the Red Cross and the International Committee of the Red Cross, circulated to National Societies worldwide. The preliminary document was followed by a more comprehensive and updated appeal.

MDA Movement Cooperation Coordinator participated in daily briefings and discussions held by the National Humanitarian Forum with the participation of representatives from the authorities and the IDF. In parallel, MDA distributed support kits (altogether 66 kits) to children and youth from Gaza during the conflict.

Additionally, approximately 1'000 units of blood components, originally shipped from Lebanon, were preserved and transported by MDA Blood Services from Ashdod port to hospitals in Gaza.

MDA Public Relations and Training division distributed brochures to the population instructing them in shelters or community centers on what to do when going through rocket attack, including vital steps to provide First Aid, and defensive behavior when not making it to a close refuge for the people living in higher risk areas.

Close communication with the PRCS directorate and implementation of MDA roles as defined in the MDA-PRCS Memorandum of Understanding, including the foundation of a humanitarian clinic at the Erez crossing point, for the Gazan population.

During and after the conflict, MDA coordinated the following international delegations:

• An ICRC delegation, spearheaded by President Dr. Jacob Kellenberger, who conducted a visit in Sderot city and MDA station.
• IFRC delegation - a visit of Disaster Management coordinator Europe Zone, Ms. Slobodanka Curic. Ms. Curic conducted meetings with her counterpart Mr. Chaim Rafalowski, to coordinate the IFRC support to MDA.
• Indonesian medics delegation to Gaza - MDA facilitated the overall coordination of the delegation passage to Gaza with the relevant authorities, including liaison with the PRCS.

YOUTH activities

MDA youth volunteers are highly committed to life-saving and to their humanitarian mission. While recognizing the strength of youth as tomorrow leadership, MDA seeks to increase youth action in humanitarian ventures. As such, it carries out workshops for leadership in the community side by side to youth delegations participating in movement events, where they can explore youth action around the world.

MDA youth international summer camps

Each summer MDA welcomes youth delegations from all over the world taking part in a two-week seminar, which is often a platform for youth gathering focusing on youth role combating humanitarian crisis. Through workshops and working groups they discuss the challenges and possible action for the relief of unfortunate populations.

The last MDA international seminar discussed Global Food Crisis and Famine. 

1.         Italian Red Cross, "Solferino Parade", June 2008

A delegation composed of 6 MDA volunteers represented             MDA in the annual international event in Solferino, the          Movement historical site in north Italy.

2.         MDA delegation in IFRC YABC program, May 2009

An MDA youth delegation of instructors headed to Barcelona to participate in the IFRC training of trainers: "Young Agents of Behavioral Change". During the course the participants learned how to use a unique toolkit that was developed in order to extend the number of youngsters volunteering in the movement, and included a variety of interactive, un-cognitive discussions on the movement values. The teams trained will facilitate future trainings in their respective countries and IFRC activities worldwide.

3.                  Georgia Youth volunteers Winter Assembly  

2 of MDA young volunteers headed to Georgia on February 2008, to present MDA and share experience with other youngsters in an international winter camp discussing the Movement 7 Fundamental Principles.

4.                  Turkish Red Crescent Youth Camp, July 2009

MDA participate annually in the Turkish Red Crescent youth camps. In July 2009 a delegation of MDA young volunteers headed to Bursa in Western Turkey to explore the local activities and various prospects on youth role worldwide.

5.                  MDA delegate to the Uganda international youth camp, August 2009

The Ugandan Red Cross organized a spectacular youth camp. Over 120 youth from different Ugandan districts gathered in Kampala, where they learned first hand about youth leadership, violence and HIV prevention, among tours exploring the fascinating landscape and nature.

6.                  MDA youth delegation to the movement celebrations of 150 years, Solferino 2009

A youth delegation counting 6 motivated volunteers and employees was invites to join the Movement 150 year's celebrations. The IFRC and the Italian Red Cross hosted hundreds of delegations from all over the world to take part in the festive events, and workshops, marking the contribution of the movement to humanitarian endeavors for the most vulnerable.

In this occasion and in the frame of the "Humanitarian Boulevard" MDA presented a booth showing its decades-long activities. MDA delegation also participated in the placement of the MDA stone on the famous wall of Red Cross commemoration in Solferino, alongside to all other stones carrying the name of other, old and new National Societies. MDA delegation participated in seminars and workshops on violence prevention, young leadership and more, and marched the traditional march from Solferino (in north Italy) to Geneva (Switzerland). There, the young delegates handed the youth declaration on humanitarian action to the UN.

Refugees and Child Relief

National figures show that over 8,000 refugees live in Israel to date (end of 2008). Most are originated in African countries: Congo, Sudan, the Ivory Coast, Ethiopia and Eritrea. MDA humanitarian support to this population relates to various aspects.

1.      Distribution of food and hygienic items, blankets and food for babies - During 2007 hundreds of refugees from Sudan and Eritrea fled to Israel, searching for safe shelter and usually after a long exhausting journey from Sudan or Egypt, MDA provided those refugees a primarily  emergency assistance which included blankets and food for babies, basic hygienic products and food items.

2.      Supply of winter kits to babies, children and youth - coats, blanket, warm clothing, school bags and more.

3.      MDA Tracing officer, in cooperation with the ICRC, carry out family visits in the detention facility in Queziot. The visits are organized once a month to provide the refugees detained the possibility to hold contacts with their families & relatives in Israel.

4.      Cultural event to refugees in Tel-Aviv - about 250 refugees, who currently reside in Tel-Aviv, were invited to a festive gathering event, which was organized by Israeli NGOs and MDA and which included music and cultural performances, spreading the message of freedom. MDA provided two ambulances and medical staff; its teams supported the logistic needs during the event and hosted the refugees in an unforgettable evening.

5.      Ambulance transfers to medical care in hospitals.

Child Relief

During 2008 MDA supported four shelters in Tel-Aviv periphery, and an additional one in Beer-Sheva, all give refuge to children and youth who were pulled out of their homes by court following extreme abuse or neglect. Non-food items were provided to the children residing in children shelters: baby-bottles, bedding, and warm clothing including rain coats, towels, blankets, socks and shoes.    

Warm clothing to unfortunate populations in northern Israel.

At the end of 2008 MDA volunteers in the Gilboa Region contacted several primary schools in the city of Acre, in order to provide children from unfortunate families with clothing and school bags.

Tracing Services

MDA provides tracing services for those who lost contact with their families, and assist the seekers to reunite with their beloved, who were missing for years, or receive concrete notification about their current status.  Most of the cases handled by MDA are Holocaust related.

In the frame of MDA efforts to develop the services, it conducted two trainings for tracing regional volunteers, and engages social workers to the process of cases enquiries.

When searching for information' the international tracing unit establishes contacts with museums, archives, a variety of organizations and national Red Cross Associations in country's around the world. In cases of which the request is presented in another country, the international tracing unit does her best to help the searching using the information available in Israel.

During 2002-2007, the tracing department dealt with more than 5,000 applications.

About 1,000 cases are being handled each year.

*           Spreading MDA tracing role throughout the media (interviews in national TV channels and radio)

*           Strengthening the cooperation with the ICRC and National Societies.

*           Close cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior and "Yad Vashem" Holocaust archive

*           Development of a tracing on-line module. Soon beneficiaries will be able to deliver their application through MDA's website. Additionally, a unique module of Tracing will be operated in times of war or a catastrophe.

*           "Sapir College" Social Work Department- integration of students in family visits.

Tracing Trainings for MDA Volunteers

In the end of 2008, 2 tracing trainings took place to volunteers from around the country. In those 3-day-trainings these youngsters were taught about the Red Cross Organization and the process of missing relative identification, they learned about the Movement Fundamental principles, tracing procedures and were introduced to the archives and organizations which handle various tracing cases. A special emphasis was put on the social aspects of working with holocaust survivors. 

The volunteers' tracing work comes to fruition by individually contacting with the MDA inquirers for documents or missing relatives they help with filling up the relevant forms and transferring these to the tracing office where the rest of the work is done. In the future, the spatial tracers will take a more active part in the tracing process- visiting different archives or using internet relevant sites for inquirers who do not have internet access.   

MDA Tracing Services in Emergencies

1.         Multi-casualty bus accident, southern Israel

On August 16th, 2008, an urgent call describing a tourists' bus rolling over in the desert area near the city of Eilat, was received in MDA dispatch center. The passengers as a whole were tourists from Russia, counting 50 people out of which half lost their lives in the devastating accident.

Right upon receipt of the call, MDA tracing volunteers were called to the NMDC (National Medical Communication & Dispatching Center), in order to immediately start the initial work of confirming the location of those injured in hospitals, communicate with them and contacting their families back in their home country - Russia, to notify their relatives' medical state, location of hospitalization and ways of communication.

They reported the saddening event to the International Movement of the Red Cross Red Crescent as well as the Russian Red Cross. Additionally, they held constant contact with MDA representative in the MFA for further updates.

One hour after the evacuation and initial treatment in the scene was concluded, the teams were able to obtain a list of all passengers involved in the accident, including their location in the various hospital departments.

2.         Terror attack on Chabbad House, Mumbai - India

In November 2008, the media reported a terror attack launched on the Chabbad House in Mumbai, India. Several Israelis were reported to be held as hostages and hurt.

In such cases, when Israeli residents are involved in hostilities abroad, an MDA delegation prepares for a possible departure within hours, and the tracing teams commence with the emergency procedures, namely creating communication lines between those missing and their relatives. Hence, first communication is held with the local Red Cross for concrete information and the extent of the event. The tracing office holds contact with relevant bodies within the Red Cross, the MFA emergency room and the families.

In the Mumbai tragedy, MDA failed to communicate the local Red Cross, therefore contacted the JDC representatives in Mumbai. JDC contact person was provided by the tracing team with the most updated list of Israelis that were possibly involved. Following that list, the JDC representative made a comprehensive search for the missing in the hospitals all through the city, then reported as of his findings. MDA shared the information with the MFA emergency room, then contacting the families.

Successful cases:

During 2008 and 2009, MDA tracing unit succeed in tracing family members of 6 families, most of which were torn apart during the Holocaust. One of the cases was concluded through the combined efforts of ITS (International Tracing Services), Belgian Red Cross and MDA: a brother was united with his younger sister after more than 60 years of separation. The two, Mr. Avraham Lowy and Mrs. Eva Mulstein, now in their '80, met in Brussels in February 2009. The emotional meeting was facilitated by MDA tracing officer, Mr. Borya Kozokin, and filmed for a documentary feature.

In another case, MDA tracing services was approached by an American citizen, who, during a research of family roots, stumbled upon information of a possible surviving member of his family, long thought to be perished during the WW2. MDA tracing services commenced a search which resulted in finding the grandfather's younger brother. The applicant, accompanied by his sister, flew to Israel within a few days upon receiving the poignant news. In the words of the sister: "There is nothing more symbolic than meeting lost family members in the Holy Land".

Reunification of Avraham Lowy and Eva Mulstein

Reunification of a the Vasserman family

 

MDA-Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS)

In 2006 MDA and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society signed a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the humanitarian sphere.

MDA conducts "back to back" ambulance transfers in MDA ambulances on a regular basis, when Palestinian patients are transferred from the West bank and Gaza to medical care in hospitals all through Israel.

Verification of Equivalency Trainings

MDA carried out three trainings, designated to PRCS ambulance drivers, for their operation in Israel. The three sessions (October & November 2007, October 2008) included the participation of a total of 45 ambulance drivers, and were hosted at MDA Jerusalem station.

Playing Peace to Prevent War

Trilateral program for Israeli and Palestinian children held in Rome, Italy, in July 2007. The group, counted of ten children, 5 from MDA and 5 from the Maher Center for Cancer, traveled to Rome, Italy, where a two weeks summer camp was held. 

During the camp, the children learned about the movement fundamental principles and values of dialogue, peace and harmony through sports, water games and art. To strengthen the message, the children visited important cultural and religious sites in Rome such as the Vatican, the Synagogue in the Jewish quarter and the big mosque of Rome. The Italian Red Cross social workers and volunteers led the activities and accompanied the children.

The project was initiated and facilitated by the Italian Red Cross.

Peace Building Workshop for Youth

A Peace Building program for Israeli and Palestinian youth took place in Neve Shalom village. The 35 youth, aged 14-17, participated in First Aid training in two separate groups, and then joined a joint 3-days workshop on Peace Building. The program was led by the Abershir Institute, which taught them about stress reduction and "out of the box thinking" models.  The workshop was concluded with a seminar on IHL, delivered by MDA instructor.   

The program was conducted in cooperation with the Peres Center for Peace, Abershir Institute and the Palestinian Center for Democracy and Peace.

MDA Courses - Dissemination of the Movement Principles & IHL:

"Leadership in the Community" Workshop

Supported by the International Federation of the Red Cross.

A 3-day workshop for MDA volunteers and employees, to become MDA contact persons to the communities all through Israel, while providing local vulnerable population with essential needs in times of natural or man-made disaster.

Instructors of "Movement Fundamental Principles"

MDA has recently conducted an additional workshop on the Movement Fundamental Principles. The workshop was the continuation of the workshops held in 2006, when MDA was officially admitted as a full member of the RCRC International Movement. The workshop's goal was to train additional MDA instructors, who will deliver future workshops on the Movement to MDA employees and volunteers in their regions.

During the workshop, which included 25 MDA members from throughout the country, the volunteers learned about the movement fundamental principles, International Humanitarian Law, the ICRC and the International Federation. They also explored MDA humanitarian role and international endeavor.

IHL - International Humanitarian Law

MDA undertook the role of dissemination the movement principles and values and International Humanitarian Law. Since June 2006, a total of 2'500 of MDA staff and volunteers were instructed in FP and IHL, in different frameworks: Trainings for new staff, advanced trainings to existing staff, Movement related workshops and seminars, regional tracer seminar and more. Additionally, MDA conducted further lectures in the international exchanges performed each summer.

During the first quarter of 2009, a total of 110 MDA staff and volunteers were provided the instruction, in the frame of 4 sessions.

MDA in the Red Cross Red Crescent Museum

The aim of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum (MICR) is to serve the memory of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and to preserve its heritage. To that end it has acquired a number of unique collections which trace the Movement's history.

Over 20,000 documents have been entered into the database since the foundation of the museum, including major collections from the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.  

MICR Cooperation Agreement - July 2008:

Signing of cooperation agreement - 9 June 2008.

In October 2008 the first delivery of MDA items was sent to the museum, where they will be presented in the exhibitions.

MDA has completed four deliveries of MDA items, which included: MDA brochures and documentations, samples of support kits, shirts and cups, pins from different types and missions.

Magen David Adom in Israel presents its highest appreciation to the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), for its generous support to MDA humanitarian ventures worldwide.