MAR 28, 2024 JLM 79ยฐF 12:46 PM 06:46 AM EST
Israeli NGOs send aid to Kentucky in wake of tornadoes

Volunteers from SmartAID are installing a high-tech coordination center for local responders, while IsraAID is sending a team to help

Following four weekend tornadoes that killed dozens and destroyed homes and businesses in western Kentucky, volunteers for Israeli humanitarian aid organization SmartAID are working with local partners to install a coordination center for emergency workers in hard-hit Mayfield and Benton.

The coordination center will include solar energy, smartphone connectivity, Wi-Fi and other technologies to help responders efficiently plan operations, said SmartAID founder and director Shachar Zahavi.

“Kentucky was the worst-hit state by far in an unusual mid-December swarm of twisters across the Midwest and the South that leveled entire communities, leaving tens of thousands homeless,” said Zahavi.

“Most communities have been left without access to power, clean water, telecommunication, medical treatment and basic survival items.”

Another Israeli humanitarian aid organization, IsraAID, has mobilized an emergency response team to support recovery and cleanup efforts in affected Kentucky communities.

CEO Yotam Polizer says they will join with colleagues from Team Rubicon, a disaster response organization founded by US military veterans, and “work closely with local authorities to assess the situation and identify communities and households in need of support.”

A state of emergency was declared in Kentucky on December 11. At least 74 residents are confirmed dead and more than 100 are missing.

Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Herzog tweeted Israel’s condolences to those who lost loved ones. He and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid said that Israel “stands together with the American people and is ready to offer any assistance needed.”


Picture: A responder coordination center, powered by solar energy, under construction in western Kentucky by SmartAID and local partners. Photo courtesy of SmartAID

Did you find this article interesting?
Comments
Karolina De 03:56 15.12.2021
ISREAL IS THE ONLY COUNTRY HELPING AMERICA ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ”ฅ๐Ÿ’ฏ NO ONE ELSE IS... THAT SHOWS THE BEAUTY OF THE ISRAELI SPIRIT ๐Ÿ•Š๏ธ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ’ฏ
Phillip Avalos 01:25 15.12.2021
Thank you Israel so much love Israel for helping us out! Godโ€™s bless you Israel โœก๏ธ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿป๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿป๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฑ
[Anonymous] 00:47 15.12.2021
thank you Israel โ™ฅ๏ธwe love you and may be always stay friends โ™ฅ๏ธForeverโ™ฅ๏ธ
Katrina Tes 00:35 15.12.2021
Thank you so much Representatives of Israel. You do your country proud!
Christiana Marie 00:30 15.12.2021
I was in this tornado. Destroyed everything I had . It was horrific. God bless you Israel I love you โ™ฅ๏ธ
Michele Coviello 00:07 15.12.2021
Thank you. We love you. โœกโœ๏ธ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ™
Jeanne Ferguson 00:04 15.12.2021
I'm not surprised that they are helping us. God is good.
To leave a comment, please log in

DISCOVER MORE

"Iron Swords" - War in Gaza Hamas The Iran Threat Biden Administration Hezbollah The Leftist-Islamist Alliance Israeli Technology Palestine = Hamas = ISIS Israeli_Nature 10/7 Hamas Massacres Biblical Archaeology Jihadi Infiltration into the West Heroes of Israel The Bible Muslim Persecution of Jews