IsraAID supporting Israelis affected by Iranian attacks

IsraAID, Israel’s leading humanitarian aid NGO, has launched an emergency response amid the ongoing state of emergency in Israel, supporting communities that have been displaced or affected by Iranian missile attacks. The organization is working with local municipalities who are hosting some 2,000 people whose homes were damaged or destroyed in central Israel, aiming to provide support in mental health and psychosocial support, education, and logistics. IsraAID is also assessing how to support communities in both northern and southern Israel who have been affected by Iranian missile attacks. 

On June 13, Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran. Iran retaliated with ballistic missile barrages against Israeli cities that have killed 24, injured hundreds, and left over 2,000 people unable to return home. Displaced people are currently being hosted in hotels in Ramat Gan and Tel Aviv, with each city hosting about 1,000 people – particularly from the massive strikes on residential buildings in Bat Yam, Ramat Gan, and Tel Aviv. Amid over a year and a half of ongoing war and an uncertain and fluctuating situation, municipalities have sought additional support, particularly in mental health and psychosocial support as well as education needs for evacuated children.  

Building on their extensive experience supporting evacuated Israeli communities in the aftermath of the October 7 attacks, IsraAID is providing support to displaced Israelis as they navigate this uncertainty. On Thursday, June 19, the organization began providing resilience kits for families, including games and activities to help children process trauma. IsraAID is working closely with the municipalities to assess the needs in evacuation centers, provide psychosocial support for children and families, train local volunteers, and potentially support with education needs. 

From the first days after the October 7 attacks, IsraAID has worked with evacuated Israeli communities and local partners to support needs in mental health and psychosocial support, education, and logistics. The organization provided 55 rocket shelters and psychosocial support for unrecognized Bedouin villages in Israel’s south. When the war escalated in the north in 2024, IsraAID worked to establish 140 community emergency response teams in cities and towns across northern Israel. 

Following the missile strike on the Arab-majority city of Tamra, in northern Israel, late Saturday evening, IsraAID conducted a top-up training for residents and participants in the city’s community emergency response team, sharing additional emergency response and psychosocial support skills and knowledge. In the south, IsraAID is assessing needs in unrecognized Bedouin communities, and may provide additional rocket shelters and emergency support. 

IsraAID’s Head of Mission, Tali Groshaus, said: 

“Our hearts are with all those who have lost loved ones or their homes in this ongoing wave of missile attacks. Since October 8, 2023, IsraAID has worked hand-in-hand with vulnerable Israeli communities that have been affected by this war. We have worked to help communities manage life in evacuation centers, process trauma, provide safe spaces for children to learn and be kids again, and navigate ongoing uncertainty.  

In the wake of this devastating new state of emergency, we will use our global experience – along with everything we have learned through our work in Israel – to support affected communities.” 

-ENDS- 

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

CONTACT:
 
Shachar May
Email: [email protected]  

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 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 June 2025, IsraAID has responded to more than 100 emergencies, in more than 65 countries.