Conclusions About Israeli Assistance

It would be inappropriate to compare Israel's relief efforts in Southeast Asia with other countries with larger resources, or to single out Israel's response to the tsunami victims. The aid and reconstruction going on now is a worldwide humanitarian effort, and being so, it brings some small consolation to see such unity and compassion after all the death and destruction we have all read about or witnessed on our television screens.

It is, however, appropriate to acknowledge the inspirational attitude and, more importantly, actions that the Israeli government and the Israeli people have shown at this time. There can be no doubt that Israel has helped as much as any country in bringing about the welcome news on January 13th, delivered by the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mr. Jan Egeland, that the expected "second wave of death" from disease has been mostly averted by the concerted effort of so many medical personal and aid workers from all over the world.

Similar sentiments were expressed by UNICEF's Executive Director, Carol Bellamy, who reported after a very recent trip to the region that “in virtually all the countries [hit by the tsunami], apart from Indonesia at this point, not only is the relief effort going well, but there are clear signs of the beginning for the recovery effort.” Perhaps Indonesia's new-found willingness to look beyond politics and accept help from Israel will give the relief effort there the extra edge it needs so that the Indonesians of Sumatra can begin thinking in terms of recovery as well. Without a doubt, Indonesia can count on the Israeli government and Israeli humanitarian organizations to show the same compassion they have shown to the people of Sri Lanka and Thailand.

And let us all hope and pray that never again will Israel or any other country have its compassion tested in such a manner.

Links

UN Emergency Coordinator Jan Egeland's press conference re the improved medical situation:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=13037&Cr=tsunami&Cr1=

Three-week update from UN on overall relief effort:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=13049&Cr=tsunami&Cr1=

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