IsraAID Germany Will Respond to Catastrophic Flooding

Israeli NGO sends local team, including international staff and refugees, to assess the situation

Monday, 19 July 2021. For immediate release:

Following devastating floods in western Germany, Israeli non-governmental humanitarian aid agency IsraAID will send a team to conduct an urgent needs assessment in affected communities and support with relief distributions, Psychological First Aid, and clean-up efforts. IsraAID’s team, scheduled to arrive today, Monday July 19th, will include international staff and refugee leaders from IsraAID Germany’s programs around the country. IsraAID’s response will be conducted in partnership with ZWST, the central welfare organization of the Jewish community in Germany. At least 160 people have died in the German states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate, with dozens still reported missing and major damage to homes and infrastructure.

IsraAID has worked in Germany since 2015, when more than one million refugees entered the country, at the height of the Middle East refugee crisis. IsraAID Germany works to support refugee integration and mental health. IsraAID Germany’s leadership program provides young adult refugees with opportunities to learn about community leadership and take part in community action, and members of this leadership group will join IsraAID’s emergency response team in western Germany. In 2018, IsraAID Germany won the Chancellor’s Integration Award, presented by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, for their work providing psychological and social support to refugees, with a focus on women’s rights and empowerment.

IsraAID has responded to major flooding in many parts of the world in recent years, including in Mozambique after Cyclone Eloise this year, Guatemala after Tropical Storm Eta in 2020, India during the 2018 Kerala Floods, the U.K. following the 2016 floods in northern England, and more.

Donations to support IsraAID’s response work can be made through the IsraAID Emergency Response Fund.

-ENDS-

Further updates to follow.

Notes

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. Its medical teams, post-trauma experts, community specialists and other professionals have led international responses to disasters and civil strife around the world. After the initial emergency period, IsraAID shifts to long-term programs, accompanying communities and governments as they strive to build a better tomorrow. As of July 2021, IsraAID has responded to crises in 55 countries.