Magen David Adom gets military award for work in Lebanon war

Senior officials and commanders in Magen David Adom, Israel's rescue service, were presented with the organization's first ever military honors Tuesday, for its work during the Second Lebanon War in 2006.

MDA employees and volunteers were presented with the IDF ribbon at a ceremony in Tel Aviv, following a two-year battle to gain recognition for the organization's efforts during the month-long conflict.

The ceremony was attended by Vice Premier Eli Yishai, Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai and Deputy Health Minister Ya'akov Litzman. Also present was former interior minister Meir Sheetrit, who campaigned for the citation.

Although it receives no government budgeted funding, MDA and its team of trained volunteers and professional medical responders are mandated by the Knesset to provide the entire nation's pre-hospital emergency medical needs, including medical, disaster, ambulance and blood services.

MDA, a member of the International Committee of the Red Cross, has over 100 emergency medical stations and 11 dispatch stations throughout Israel.

American Friends of Magen David Adom built the MDA National Blood Service Center, which provides 100 percent of the blood requirements of the Israel Defense Forces, and 95 percent of the nation's blood needs.