Israel’s Earthquake Response

At 12:24 PM Israel time, Ethan Schwartz and his colleagues at Israaid were hard at work preparing a response to the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Turkey and Syria when their office began to literally shake. Located on the 13th floor of a Tel Aviv office building, Schwartz and his colleagues promptly descended the stairs of the building, including members of their team in the active process of planning Israaid’s delegation to be sent to the earthquake site.

While Tel Aviv is located at a safe distance of approximately 474 kilometers from the earthquake’s epicentre, and modern Israeli buildings must comply with earthquake safety measures, the full extent of Monday’s earthquake is currently unknown. “The death toll keeps rising and the number of people injured keeps rising.” The incalculable loss of human life is “right now more than 5000 people killed, but the number will likely go up.”

Israel has great expertise in preventing natural disasters and swiftly responding to them when they occur—- so Israaid can make a huge difference bringing these resources to where they are most needed. “Israaid is Israel's leading nongovernmental humanitarian aid organization and responds to emergencies and crises all around the world” explains Schwartz, Media and Communications Manager at Israaid, in this exclusive interview with Aish.com. With over two decades of experience, Israaid has a lengthy track record of responding to crises around the world —- not merely in the instant aftermath, but remains where help is needed for years to come.

An Israaid delegation is currently on its way to Turkey to prepare an assessment for the country’s long-term recovery and to provide instant support. “The first 24 to 72 hours are really crucial” to an earthquake response, and Israaid is meeting the moment by providing urgent medical and sanitary needs for those displaced. “When you are forced to evacuate your home in a sudden situation, you do not necessarily have basic access to soap or toothpaste or toothbrushes or sanitary towels or warm items.”

Ethan Schwartz

Given the current severe cold in Turkey, Israaid is focused on delivering “basic things like blankets, hats and gloves” and responding to the immediate needs for mental health support. Israel’s aptitude in responding to the “potential effects of trauma is huge” in the wake of crises, and Israaid has tremendous experience acting expeditiously to help its global partners with vital psychological care.

I am proud to be able to work in a place where I can put my personal values in action. It is a big part of what being Jewish means for me.”

Israaid’s current response is only possible because of relationships that were established with Turkish partners in 2017. “Israaid worked with Syrian refugees in a number of different contexts, including in Turkey. In 2015, we launched our response to the Syrian refugee crisis and in 2017 began working with Syrian refugees to provide everything from emergency support, medical care, psychological and mental health support and longer term integration support i.e. how to try and build a new life for yourself in a new country.”

The area of Turkey hit worst by the earthquake happens to be very close to the Syrian border, and thus “is the second largest home to Syrian refugees in Turkey after Istanbul.” These existing relationships with local partners in this region allowed Israaid to be in communication and coordination with those directly affected by the earthquake the very same day of the emergency.

On behalf of the organization, Schwartz shares that “we are really proud to be able to bring expertise from Israel, to communities that need it to build stronger futures and stronger communities all around the world.” On a personal level, he reflects how his Jewish upbringing aligns with the mission of Israaid, such as the values of treating all humans with respect because they are created in the image of God and all life is sacred.

Schwartz notes that Judaism is a religion of action, not mere thought. “Judaism teaches us not just to care about different situations of injustice, inequality or crisis, but to actually do something. I am really proud to be able to work in a place where I can put my personal values in action. It is a big part of what being Jewish means for me.”