Jessica Hartelin, 6, is treated by the Israeli medical team after being rescued from the rubble of a collapsed building in Haiti where she had been trapped for almost six days after the earthquake. Photo: Isranet
NAOMI LEVIN
AUSTRALIAN Jews are being urged to step up their support for the international aid effort in Haiti.
In the wake of the earthquake that has ravaged the Caribbean island, claiming an estimated 200,000 lives, two community charities -– Jewish Aid Australia (JAA) and Magen David Adom (MDA) -– have launched appeals.
In three days, JAA had already raised $70,000 for the relief effort. It is directing its donations towards CARE Australia -– a non-partisan, non-political Australian charity on the ground in Port-au-Prince.
JAA chief executive officer Gary Samowitz said: “The response has been fantastic and we’ve been inundated with calls and emails.”
Among the donors are AJN owner Robert Magid and his sister Nora Goodridge, who made a $40,000 pledge.
“Bob and Nora’s donation is an inspiring example to the rest of the community,” Samowitz said. “The more money raised, the more services will be provided to those suffering the aftermath of the earthquake, and every donation counts.”
The Pratt Foundation, meanwhile, run by Jewish philanthropist Heloise Waislitz, has made an initial donation of $50,000. The foundation’s CEO, Sam Lipski, said the 5000 workers at the family company, Visy, had also been invited to give funds to the people of Haiti. He said donations made by staff would be matched by the foundation.
Ron Raab, president of Insulin for Life Austalia, added that his organisation had sent emergency shipments of insulin to assist Haitian diabetics who were struggling to get access to lifesaving medication.
Local MDA branches are also running an appeal to support the work of their Israeli colleagues on the embattled island. As part of the International Committee of the Red Cross, MDA sent a paramedic delegation to Haiti immediately upon hearing of the earthquake.
According to MDA-Red Cross coordinator Dudi Abadi, all the money raised by the ambulance and first aid service will be used to fulfil the most urgent needs -– medical equipment, blankets, water, food, hygiene items, purification tablets and sheets of plastic.
Encouraging the community to give generously to the appeals, Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Robert Goot said: “The earthquake claimed the lives of tens of thousands of people and has left many of the survivors without homes, food, water, medical and hospital services, and other basic necessities. I urge everyone in our community to dig deep and support the recognised international aid organisations, which have workers on the ground in Haiti, including Jewish organisations such as Jewish Aid Australia Limited, Magen David Adom and ZAKA.”
How you can help
MDA Victoria (03) 9272 5633.
Jewish Aid Australia www.jewishaid.org.au
