ZAKA INTERNATIONAL RESCUE UNIT DELEGATION ABOUT TO ARRIVE IN HAITI

14-Jan-10

THE FIRST ISRAELI DELEGATION INTO THE DISASTER AREA

A six man ZAKA International Rescue Unit delegation left Mexico City on a Mexican air force Hercules flight for Haiti to offer immediate and urgent assistance at the earthquake disaster in Port au Prince.

ZAKA, recognized by the United Nations-as a volunteer humanitarian organization, will be the first Israeli team to arrive in the disaster area and will immediately begin its assessment and work in cooperation with the local and international emergency authorities.

The volunteers were in the region having just completed their work in the recovery operation following the helicopter crash that killed Mexican businessman Moses Saba and three family members earlier this week.

The volunteers, all of whom are trained in emergency medical response, rescue and recovery, have gained experience in similar natural disasters such as the Katrina hurricane and the East Asia tsunami.

They will receive all the necessary assistance from the Israeli Embassy in the Dominican Republic and the Israeli Foreign Office situation room. Chabad House in the Dominican Republic and the Chabad emissary Rabbi Shimon Perlman will provide the delegation with kosher food.

More ZAKA International Rescue Unit volunteers will leave Israel for Haiti Thursday evening with the 220 strong Israeli delegation, carrying essential medical and rescue and recovery supplies as well as humanitarian aid.

Donate to the ZAKA Haiti Fund

ZAKA rescue team before their departure on the Mexican Hercules Transport