While the US President joins the international chorus that has been irrationally condemning Israel for its failure to allow yet another terrorist haven on its borders, Israel quietly goes on doing what it does best: making the world a better place.
Vanuatu, an island nation with a population just a little over 200,000 people, was devastated by Tropical Cyclone Pam earlier this month. When its President Baldwin Lonsdale requested international help in responding to the crisis, as usual, Israel was among the first to respond. The Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports:
In a small makeshift shelter in the devastated village of Eratap, Mac and Katie recount how they and their two children Kancy and little Clara managed to survive the storm. “The cyclone howled so strongly, our children were terrified,” Mac recalls. The family was hoping to last out the storm in their home, but Cyclone Pam, with its 320 kph winds was just too much. With the roof caving in, the family somehow managed to escape to the local church before the Cyclone flattened their home.
The most urgent needs outside of the capital remain drinking water and food, and with access to remote islands hampering relief efforts, the situation is becoming a race against the clock to save the lives of thousands dying of starvation and thirst.
. . . .
As the IsraAID team walked up the path, the chief of this small village on the remote island of Tongoa broke down in tears, explaining “it’s been ten days since the disaster, and these are the first supplies we have received.” In this village of 42 households devoid of a road access, only four structures remain standing, and starving locals lined up in the sun with excitement as the IsraAID team, together with the Tongoa parliament representative MP Mr. John Amos and a team of local volunteers, distributed over 40 tons of rice, flour and drinking water.
Our wishes are to all the residents of Vanuatu for speedy rebuilding and recovery, and thanks to IsraAID for all that they do around the world.
