World

Israeli and Jewish aid to Haiti earthquake

January 14, 2010 11:38
Devastation after the Haiti earthquake Photo: Matthew Marek/American Red Cross
1 min read

Israeli and Jewish aid organisations have flown to Port-au-Prince to deal with the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake which may have killed up to 100,000 people.

El Al has sent two planes, one cargo and another for passengers, and an IDF delegation is due to arrive in the Carribean country today with experts in engineering, medicine and rescue tactics.

IsraAID have also dispatched a 12-man search-and-rescue team to Haiti.

Orthodox Jewish aid organisation ZAKA has sent a four-man delegation to the stricken region. The Israel-based volunteers, who also helped during the Katrina hurricane and the East Asia tsunami, had been undergoing emergency training in Mexico City

The team have recently returned from helping to recover the wreckage of the helicopter crash that killed Mexican Jewish businessman Moses Saba and three family members earlier this week.

World Jewish Relief has also launched an emergency appeal. A statement on the organisation’s website said: “We will be working with trusted partners on the ground to provide emergency food, health care and shelter to those who need it most.”