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Presentation of the Israeli-built village in Adapazari, Turkey

When a devastating earthquake hit Western Turkey in 1999, claiming tens of thousands of lives, Israel was one of the first countries to dispatch search and rescue teams, a field hospital and a 100-person medical team to the region. Israel's proximity to Turkey, as well as our vast experience with mass casualty situations, enabled search and rescue teams to arrive within hours of the quake and to rescue 12 survivors buried under the rubble while recovering over 100 bodies.

The Israel Defense Forces immediately dispatched a field hospital which worked around the clock, treating hundreds of victims over the course of nearly two months and even delivering 8 babies. The hospital included an emergency room, an operating room, a delivery room, an intensive care room, a children's ward and an orthopedic ward, all in tents due to the danger of aftershocks.

Medical teams were closely followed by two cargo planes of medications and equipment and hundreds of tons of food and provisions donated by both the Government and the people of Israel.

At the same time, Israel commenced reconstruction of the damaged ICU of Ducze State Hospital and upgraded its facilities. In addition, in order to deal with the thousands of Turks left homeless by the quake, Israel set up an emergency village, providing comfortable housing suitable for long-term dwelling with all necessary utilities and infrastructure. Management of the village, which still exists today, has since been taken over by a private company.

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Medical equipment donated by MASHAV arrives in Tbilisi, Georgia

Georgia: Following the earthquake that struck Tbilisi in May 2002, a donation by MASHAV of medical equipment, including antibiotics, bandages, surgical gloves and more, was presented to the capital’s Mayor, Ivane Zodelava.

Chile: Israel provided housing assistance to the city of Arica, hit by severe floods and strong winds which left over 1500 houses roofless. Arica is twin-sister with Eilat.

Czech Republic: Following disastrous floods in the capital city of Prague, Israel delivered electric pumps, baby food, blankets, sacks for sand and sealing materials.

Tanzania: Following the train crash occurred near Dodoma which left over 200 people dead and many injured, Israel donated medical equipment including 54,130 first aid kits.

Democratic Republic of Congo: At the end of January 2002, after the devastating eruption of the Nyirangongo Volcano in Goma/Kivu, two doctors were dispatched from Israel with two and a half tons of medicines donated by MASHAV in cooperation with the Emergency Department of Israel’s Health Ministry. Upon request, Israel also delivered medical equipment to Kinshasa hospitals.

Micronesia: Responding to an urgent call for aid from Micronesia following a devastating tropical storm in July, MASHAV provided funds to purchase water purification devices and medical equipment.