Posted on 12/31/2004 4:44:52 AM PST by kattracks
Magen David Adom, the Israeli equivalent of the Red Cross, says it has been involved more than ever before in international long-term aid planning following the Indian Ocean disaster.
The agency, which has long been denied official status in the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, said it has been involved in the planning of disaster aid this week -- something that has not happened before.
Officials with the group, which is only considered an "official observer" of the international aid movement, said they have been included in conference calls determining what aid will be necessary. In the past, the group has given aid only through the Israeli government, Jonathan Yagodovsky, director of Magen David Adom's international department, said Thursday.
'A real breakthrough'
"We know and we feel that we are part of the movement,'' Yagodovsky said in a phone interview from Israel.
Already, the agency has shipped more than 4,000 vials of a blood protein to Sri Lanka. Next week, an expert in tracing and connecting family members will head to the area.
They are also now in talks about setting up a remote community clinic to treat survivors of the disaster for months to come. The clinic will give vaccinations and other health care. Magen David Adom could even partner with another national Red Cross group in giving aid, something it hasn't done in the past, Yagodovsky said.
"This is a real breakthrough for Magen David Adom and Israel,'' said Rabbi Daniel Allen, executive vice president of the American Friends of Magen David Adom in New York.
For years, Arab political opposition and Magen David Adom's logo -- a red, six-pointed star -- have kept the group from becoming a full-fledged member of the international aid society. The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, based in Switzerland, recognizes only the cross and crescent as its official emblems.
I wonder if all these affected countries would be falling over one another if a similar catastrophe hit Israel, or Europe or the US? I doubt the UN would even utter a word.
Muslims would be greatly helped if they went into all their neighborhoods and took up collections.
Helping the less fortunate regardless of their faith, is what true "honor" is all about.
You really gotta hate someone to refuse their charitable help, not officially recognize their charitable organization, or relegate the organization to only "observer" status.
The hatred of Israel must know no bounds.
"The agency, which has long been denied official status in the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement,"
File under: why I won't give the Red Cross money.
"Muslims would be greatly helped if they went into all their neighborhoods and took up collections."
Yes, but of course they are all too busy killing people. And, silly me, I though charity was one of the 5 pillars of Islam. Their collective inaction once again makes me think there are no "moderate" Muslims.
Where is the Al Jazeera telethon?
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