IsraAID and IACC to establish 200 emergency teams in Israel’s north, in 14 mil NIS program

“Safe Harbor” offers residents an active role in emergency preparedness from a deep understanding that local communities are often the first responders in any emergency. The Community Emergency Resilience Teams will offer an immediate and long-term response in complex emergency situations, through collaboration and from a shared understanding with the local authorities.

At present, training has begun for community coordinators and volunteers in 140 communities spread over 80 municipalities in northern Israel. The training program, which lasts three months, offers participants the tools, disaster management expertise, and budget that they need to prepare for any emergency scenario. The program, based in IsraAID’s decades of humanitarian and emergency response experience, covers topics such as effective and efficient decision-making in emergencies, preventing burnout, managing a control room, coordinating volunteers, how to work with local authorities, building a quick response plan, and more. Participants develop an actionable community emergency response plan in collaboration with local authorities and appoint local volunteers to staff the Community Emergency Resilience Team.

Each team will establish community emergency centers that will aid residents in case of emergency and receive a budget of 50,000 shekels to equip the centers with emergency provisions – such as generators and first aid kits – according to local needs. After training has concluded, team leaders will receive ongoing support and accompaniment from emergency response experts at IsraAID and the IACC.

“Following October 7^th, The Jewish Federations of North America mobilized to support Israeli society. This support reflects the deep connection and enormous commitment to Israel and the welfare of its citizens in this difficult time,” said Becky Caspi, Senior VP of Global Operations and Director General of JFNA Israel. “We’re proud to take part of this important project of IsraAID and the IACC that provides a thorough response to the emergency needs of communities.”

“One of the takeaways from this war has been the importance of preparation and early intervention. Community readiness saved lives,” said IACC CEO Tal Basechess. “Today, as part of implementing those lessons, we understand the value of a proper transition from routine to emergency. I’m grateful for the partnership with IsraAID and the ability to work together as a single entity. We’ll continue responding to the immediate needs of communities, help rebuild communities, and promote readiness on the Homefront. We’re committed to community resilience across Israel, and especially the residents of the north and the south.”

“Right now, it’s important to support and strengthen local leaders, who know best what their communities need,” said Einav Levy, Head of the Israel Mission at IsraAID. “Real resilience comes from within the community, and we’re here to offer additional tools and skills that help communities manage whatever comes their way. We’re proud to be working with the IACC to bring our decades of global experience in emergency response to communities across Israel. Since October 7 we’ve been working hand-in-hand with communities across Israel, and we remain committed to supporting both their urgent and long-term needs as they rebuild and build a stronger future.”

Participating communities include: Kiryat Shmona, Haifa, Tamra, Naharia, Acre, Majdal Shams, Shlomi, Kiryat Bialik, Kiryat Motzkin, and more.

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Further information is available on request, including interviews with IsraAID CEO Yotam Polizer, IACC CEO Tal Basechess, and other individuals involved in this operation.

CONTACT:

Shachar May – IsraAID Spokesperson
Email: [email protected]

Carmel Aloni – IACC Spokesperson
Email: [email protected]

IsraAID is a leading international humanitarian non-governmental organization, based in Israel. Since 2001, IsraAID has become synonymous with a rapid response to humanitarian crises and a long-term commitment to working with affected communities. During and after emergencies, IsraAID partners with communities to re-build their lives – and their futures – together. As of July 2024, IsraAID has responded to more than 100 emergencies, in more than 60 countries.

Israel Association of Community Centers (IACC), Israel’s leading social organization, was established in 1969, to build and develop a nationwide network of sustainable local communities, that will help consolidate Israel’s multi-cultural social fabric and create a strong and resilient society. IACC operates a nationwide network of 1,000 community centers and branches that serve millions of residents in 187 local municipalities from all sectors and populations of Israeli society. The core values that form the basis of all operations of IACC’s community centers are: mutual responsibility and volunteerism, accessibility and inclusion, and communal identity in Israeli society.