The IDF spokesperson announced today that the IDF medical and rescue missions in Haiti would end tomorrow.
Their achievements are immense.
The IDF Medical and Rescue team, including personnel and equipment for setting up a field hospital and a small rescue team, left for Haiti 11 days ago, on January 15th 2010, and had a significant role in providing aid to survivors of the earthquake.
During their stay in Haiti, the delegation treated more than 960 patients, conducted 294 successful surgeries, delivered 16 births including three in caesarian sections and saved many from within the ruins.
In the last few days, after most rescue operations were concluded, much of the delegation’s efforts were turned to other forms of civilian assistance, including setting up water tanks assisting daily life, and more.
The IDF Medical Corps and Home Front Command will hold a series of briefings following the activity in Haiti in order to improve its preparedness for similar future events.
I like the last paragraph. No complacency here and a clear commitment to meet future world crises.
I will end my Haiti posts with this, unless something significant come sup in the days ahead.
I have been proud of Israel in the past, many times and I have also been less proud on some occasions, but I can’t think of a week in which that pride has been so unalloyed.
There is a saying in Hebrew – Kol HaKavod – which is not easily translatable but roughly means ‘Well done, good job.’
Kol Hakovod to all the Israeli teams and Kol Hakavod to all the men and women from all over the world who gave assistance. Let us hope that Haiti can come out of this tragedy and build a better society. But they now know they have a friend in Israel.