Joint Statement by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
Under the direction of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Health is sending a medical delegation to jamaica to assist the local population affected by the hurricane.
The delegation, headed by Deputy Director-General of the Ministry of Health Dr. Sefi Mandelovich and under the medical leadership of Professor Ofer Marin, Director of Shaare Zedek Medical Center, will include approximately 30 doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff from hospitals across Israel.
Dr. Mandelovich and Prof. Marin departed yesterday evening as an advance team to prepare operations on the ground. The remaining members of the delegation will leave today and will operate in two hospitals in Jamaica that have received evacuees from the affected areas. The Israeli teams will reinforce the local medical staff and assist in treating the injured and managing emergency medical cases.
The composition and size of the delegation were determined at the request of, and in coordination with, Jamaica’s Ministry of Health.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs has also instructed the immediate dispatch to Jamaica of Israel’s Ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Raslan Abu Rukun, together with an additional diplomatic team, in order to coordinate humanitarian assistance efforts with the Government of Jamaica.
Director-General of the Ministry of Health, Moshe Bar Siman Tov:
“The delegation represents the spirit of dedication and professionalism of Israel’s healthcare system and our willingness to assist other nations in times of crisis. The Israeli health system is highly skilled in disaster situations and mass-casualty events; experience gained both within Israel and through numerous missions dispatched to disaster zones worldwide. Our medical personnel respond with commitment whenever and wherever their help is needed.”
Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Eden Bar Tal:
“The humanitarian mission to Jamaica reflects the moral and ethical commitment of the State of Israel to extend assistance to regions affected by disasters around the world. Jamaica has a long and unique history of relations with Israel and the Jewish people. As one of the leading nations in the Caribbean region, Jamaica is an important partner, and we are committed to further strengthening relations between Israel and the countries of the region.
Israel has a long-standing record of lifesaving activity in the area. In 2010, following the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Israel dispatched a large-scale relief delegation and established a field hospital on the island.”