JERUSALEM (JTA) — An emergency response team from the Israeli NGO IsraAID is in the Philippines providing relief in the wake of a deadly typhoon.
IsraAID and its local partner agency IsraAID Philippines, with the support of the American Jewish Committee, have been working in the Can-Avid municipality, located less than 15 miles from the city of Dolores in the country’s Eastern Samar province, where Typhoon Ruby struck nearly two weeks ago.
The typhoon, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Hagupit, left at least 21 people dead and displaced more than 1.6 million Filipinos.
IsraAID is working in coordination with the United Nations and the local Ministry of Health in offering medical treatment to the 97 percent of residents affected by the typhoon. Over 400 injured people have been treated, according to Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The team also has delivered food and non-food items to more than 400 families, including rice, noodles, water, mosquito repellent and hygiene kits.
IsraAID also conducted psychological exams on and provided social support for more than 150 children in the villages of Barangay Rawis and Camantang, and trained local professionals to help deal with trauma-affected communities.
In the wake of Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013, a 147-member medical and humanitarian mission from the Israel Defense Forces spent nearly two weeks running a field hospital in Bogo City. Israel also delivered more 100 tons of humanitarian and medical supplies for typhoon victims.
