Ve'ahavta launches

Asian Tsunami Relief Fund

to assist thousands of tsunami victims in South East Asia

The Jewish obligation to respond to the victims of the tsunami derives from the Jewish values that require us to not stand by idly when others are suffering, and that we help heal the sick. Our obligation is also driven by "pikuach nefesh", the mitzvah that requires us to save a life, as well as the mitzvah of "bikkur cholim", visiting and tending to the needs of those who are suffering from an illness.

The face of Israel's humanitarian aid in Sri Lanka

The humanitarian needs continue to rise for the people of South East Asia who were hit by the devastating earthquake and tsunami on December 26th, 2004.   As the current death toll rises above 150,000, and tens of thousands of others are still missing, injured and homeless, Ve'ahavta is looking for your support in our Crisis Response efforts. 

Please help us rebuild lives through your donation to:

Ve'ahavta's Asian Tsunami Relief Fund

Donations can be made in the following ways:

1. By Phone :
   416-964-7698 ext. 13
    
2. By Mail:
   Ve'ahavta- Asian Earthquake Relief Fund
   22 Balliol Street, Suite # 108
   Toronto, Ontario  M4S 1C1 
   Canada
    
3. On Line:
    

   Amount:

NEWS

Reports From the Field

Read reports from Rachel and Alison on the ground

Left: IsraAID personnel working with young survivors of the Tsunami disaster

Right: As a result of the Tsunami, many women were traumatized and no longer able to properly breastfeed. The Israeli relief team is currently offering assistance to those mothers and children. All this is done in rotations with dozens of mothers.

A report from the field

by Rachel Lasry and Dr. Carrie Beallor, in Sri Lanka

Left:  Rachel in clinic, March 2005         Right: Rachel and Irit in tent city, March 2005

March 8th, 2005

"Today, on International Women's Day, Ve'ahavta helped launch our Maternal Child Health Clinic in one of the hardest hit camp/village by the Tsunami. Even before the clinic officially opened at 9 am, dozens of pregnant women, mothers and children as well onlookers lined up for the much anticipated opening of the clinic.

Ve'ahavta has been instrumental in repairing, refurnishing a small house that will now be used as the clinic.

We have spent the last few days making all the official arrangements with the ministry of health, the head of the Tsunami planning committee and the district ministers of health. After the meetings and paperwork were taken care of we got down and dirty doing the real hands on work that we love to do.

We became acquainted with the local bargaining tactics in the furniture and plumbing section of Hikkaduwa (our home town). Though we did not find a home depot - we did purchase a beautiful cabinet and baby weighing table, at toilet and a sink, ceiling fans, and other necessary equipment to rebuild the clinic.

This morning, we brought all the supplies over to the clinic and created a warm, welcoming environment as well as educational, with wall charts, mobiles, and decorations for children.
Since this home was damaged by the Tsunami, we are still waiting to install, windows and doors. We have lovely police officers securing the facilities tonight. Hopefully by the end of tomorrow everything will be completed including all the electrical and plumbing.

We're working with a delightful midwife appropriately named Mercy. She was thrilled to finally go back to work and see her many patients. Veáhahvta along with IsraAID are helping Mercy follow up with the 300 families and 3000 people she is responsible for in the surrounding region."

Ve'ahavta is part of a coalition in Israel, responding to the Tsunami disaster under IsraAID: The Israel Forum for International Humanitarian Aid.  I have been meeting regularly with a number of other Israeli based NGOs to pool together our resources and respond in the most effective manner, yet also Jewishly.  Ve'ahavta is part of the planning committee in charge of developing projects on the ground. 

Ve'ahavta's International Program Director        Disaster site near the IsraAID camp

Rachel Lasry and Mr. Tissa Wijeratne,

Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Israel

Ve'ahavta's Response:

Ve'ahavta has partnered a North American coalition of Jewish humanitarian and relief organizations as well as with a second coalition made up of Israeli organizations, and provide assistance in the following manners:

1) Sending Emergency Personnel to the affected areas:  There is a need for more search and rescue personnel and logisticians on the ground to help make sense of the chaos, and identify and reunite people.  Ve'ahavta is receiving very accurate updates from Israeli groups who are already on the ground.

2)  Setting Up Emergency Feeding Stations:  Ve'ahavta will likely be partnering with other organizations in the setting up of field kitchens to help provide warm meals to children and traumatized locals.  

3)  Sending Supplies:  Ve'ahavta's goal is to assist in the financing of necessary relief items

Israel's Response

Ve'ahavta's Relief Response in the news

4,000 Magen David Adom Volunteers Collect Relief Items for East Asia this week

‘Israel Campaign For South East Asia’ Opens Donation Warehouses Across Israel

PRESS RELEASE

"where," the rabbis asked, "shall we look for the Messiah...Shall the Messiah come to us on clouds of glory, robed in majesty, and crowned with light?" The Talmud reports that Rabbi Joshua put this question to Eliijah himself. Eliijah replied, "At the gate of the city". "And how shall I recognize him?" cried Rabbi Joshua. Eliijah replied, "He sits among the sick and destitute". "What is he doing there?" "He is...changing their bandages one by one."

For Further Information Please Contact:
rachel@veahavta.org  or sarah@veahavta.org