Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Sri Lanka said refusing IDF aid team
haaretz ^ | 28 dec 04 | Yoav Stern and Amos Harel

Posted on 12/28/2004 3:28:39 AM PST by white trash redneck

A 150-member Israeli aid delegation canceled its mission to Sri Lanka on Tuesday, after the country - one of the hardest hit in the Asian tsunami disaster - refused to accept the Israeli team, Israel Defense Forces officials said.

However, Israel is sending supplies at Sri Lanka's request, including 10,000 blankets contributed by the IDF, tents, nylon sheeting and water containers. The IDF Home Front Command is organizing aid preparations.

The Israeli humanitarian organization Latet ("To give") is sending a separate aid package Tuesday. It is filling a jumbo jet with 18 tons of supplies worth $50,000, at Sri Lanka's request. The group is considering sending additional aid shortly.

Sri Lanka said on Tuesday the death toll from the tsunami had risen to about 15,000 people, including at least 200 foreign tourists. Sri Lankan military spokesman Daya Ratnayake said more than 1.5 million people had been displaced from their homes - around 7.5 percent of Sri Lanka's population.

About 26,000 people were confirmed dead Tuesday in the wake of the tsunami that slammed into coasts from India to Indonesia two days before, with some estimates nearly doubling that toll.

The aid delegation that had been set to depart for Sri Lanka on Tuesday included medical teams and representatives of the IDF and Defense Ministry, who were planning to provide humanitarian assistance and participate in search-and-rescue operations.

The delegation was planning to assemble a medical facility comprised of specialist doctors, and set up emergency, internal medicine and pediatric departments, as well as laboratory and X-ray facilities in the southern part of Sri Lanka.

A far smaller team landed in Sri Lanka on Monday night, headed by four doctors from Hadassah University Hospital, Ein Karem in Jerusalem. The team was carrying medicine and baby food.

The doctors - who specialize in rescue operations, trauma and pediatrics - were also checking the viability of setting up a field hospital in the area, and advised Israel to send a larger team, such as the one Sri Lanka rejected.

"We will advise Israel and the Foreign Ministry... to send something more massive," said Dr. Avi Rivkind, director of Hadassah's trauma unit. "We will try to use our... broad experience in dealing with terror attacks and rescuing masses to help in this disaster as well."

Israel is weighing the option of sending similar delegations to Thailand, where more than 1,000 people have died, and India, where more than 4,000 people have died, but has yet to make a final decision on the matter.

Health Min. team leaves for Thailand A Health Ministry contingent left for Thailand on Monday night to aid in the rescue efforts there after around 1,000 people, including tourists, were killed on the islands of Phuket and Phi Phi. The contingent includes doctors, nurses and four members of the IDF, Israel Radio reported.

Israel has also offered its assistance to India. Mofaz passed on the offer to Indian authorities through Israel's military attache Colonel Moshe Krawitz.

Mofaz offered aid of two kinds - a search-and-rescue team from the Home Front Command, as well as consignments of food and medicine.

A ZAKA rescue-and-recovery team left for the disaster areas Monday night armed with its equipment, including materials and tools for identifying bodies, as well as body bags.

"We are waiting for any instruction," Yehuda Meshi Zahav, the director of the organization, said Monday.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Israel; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: humanitarianrelief; idf; israel; medicalaid; phuket; srilanka; sumatraquake; tsunami
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 301-320321-340341-360361-365 last
To: DainBramage

Actually the success story started from the 90's. I live in this country so dont argue with me on that.
But anyway ....u get the point thats what matters.

"good 4 U. hope you read this type letter better N understand cuz its how you cum across.
i sure u have education, change ur cuntry more better."

---I am not sure i fully understood that but dosent matter, regardless of what ur personal disposition is towards India and Indians, we here still wish well for America and Americans. And whatever condition we may live in (in India) that shouldn't be a problem for u if u (personally) have no dealings with India.


361 posted on 12/30/2004 6:05:36 AM PST by Gengis Khan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 360 | View Replies]

To: Gengis Khan
I know it started in the 90's, which is why I posted the original article stating your country was receiving record levels of aid in 92.

(Sigh) Is this thread reincarnating?

362 posted on 12/30/2004 6:09:45 AM PST by DainBramage
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 361 | View Replies]

To: DainBramage

"I know it started in the 90's,"
--U did? Then I dont know what u meant by:
"look "dude", 2 years in a row don't make for a success story."

Also take it from me ....Its been a long time since we have stopped accepting economic bailouts. We have a foreign exchange reserve of something close to $150 Billion (USD). Even this time when were hit by tsuanmi, we arnt accepting aid rather we are giving something close to $30 Million (USD) to other affected countries. Check some threads on that.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1310020/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1310020/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1310788/posts

U need to change ur mental image about India to say the least.


363 posted on 12/30/2004 6:22:37 AM PST by Gengis Khan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 362 | View Replies]

To: Gengis Khan
Read your own link. BTW have to go work..our economy is kicking ass here.

"A year ago, the Bharatiya Janata party in power, the economy was 'shining', the stock market was soaring to new heights, the global economic environment was benign, animal spirits were back in businessmen, inflation was low, and things were on a roll.

Now, as 2004 winds down, it is more of the same -- other than the Congress replacing the Bharatiya Janata Party. This is unusual; India has not had good years in succession since the mid-1990s".

364 posted on 12/30/2004 6:34:33 AM PST by DainBramage
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 363 | View Replies]

To: DainBramage

Did u understand what it meant:
It expresses the unusualness of current growth where we never had good years "in succession" in mid 1990's but we do so now. "India has not had good years IN SUCCESSION since the mid-1990s" In 1990 we did have growth but it had its ups and downs, this time round we are growing steadly.

And did u read the next line?
"In fact, the story has only got better. Growth has been sustained despite the double-whammy of a below-normal monsoon and record oil prices.

Sectors that were not part of the growth story last year have now been caught up in the buoyancy: travel and tourism, textiles, capital goods, cement. . . It is hard to find a businessman who is grumbling. And India is once again the international flavour of the season. "

It clear means India has been booming since the 90's but now the economic boom is not just bigger it is more steadier.

Good luck for ur work and have a nice day!
I have just finished mine here at this side of the globe.


365 posted on 12/30/2004 6:51:39 AM PST by Gengis Khan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 364 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 301-320321-340341-360361-365 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson