After two weeks, Israel team winds down Haiti mission
Team set to return home and leave behind equipment; IDF reflects on complex Haiti operation.
By Amos Harel Tags: Israel newsThe Israel Defense Forces team in Haiti is finishing up its mission and will return home on Thursday. The decision was based on the recommendation of the Home Front Command, whose senior officers feel hey have fulfilled their role in helping the earthquake victims. In view of the large number of personnel and resources the command is deploying in Haiti and the U.S., it is believed the time has come to wrap up the mission.
Maj. Gen. Yair Golan, the head of the Home Front Command, returned to Israel last Friday after spending a few days with the Israelis in Haiti, commanded by Brig. Gen. (res.) Shalom Ben-Aryeh. The command and the IDF Medical Corps are now preparing for the next stages of their mission: closing up shop and leaving behind a large part of the equipment brought there as a final goodwill gesture to the people of Haiti.
The winding up of the mission involves assisting the members of the team in returning to normal life back home after the complex experiences they they had, as well as drawing the necessary professional conclusions from the Haiti operation.
On the professional level, the IDF learned much about running a field hospital under such difficult conditions and operating rescue teams; and about dealing with a mass disaster that thankfully Israel has never experienced. The up close experience of dealing with an earthquake and its aftermath - a number of aftershocks occurred while the Israel mission was there - increased awareness of the enormous danger of such a natural event, but the upper echelons of the Home Front Command believe the situation in Israel is very different. While the earthquake in Haiti reached a magnitude of 7 on the Richter scale, it seems the incredible destruction resulted more from the poor-quality construction there. Two similar strength earthquakes in California in recent decades resulted in only a few dozen killed in each quake.
Members of the rescue team who toured the area were surprised to discover there are almost no buildings built with reinforced concrete in Haiti. "You wander through the ruins and see no iron bars. Everything is made out of simple concrete, which turns into a brittle material in an earthquake of this magnitude. Everything collapses," said one member of the Israeli mission.
In Israel, by way of comparison, a far stricter building code was adopted in the mid-1970s, making buildings far less vulnerable to earthquakes.
The main conclusion of the Haiti mission from an Israeli perspective, said one senior officer, concerns the "awareness of the citizens and local authorities of the possibility of an earthquake. It is possible that more exercises are needed, but if you prepare properly for a missile attack on the home front, then you have 95% of the tools [needed] at your disposal for dealing with an earthquake," said the officer.
An analysis of the decision making process on sending the team once again shows that time is the critical factor. Israel moved quickly, in terms of making its decision and making the necessary preparations.
This provided effective help at a very early stage. In the case of Haiti, the rescue operations among the ruins - even though they drew huge media coverage - were downplayed. "It is very exciting to pull out survivors, but it's a drop in the bucket. We rescued or aided in the rescue of four people, while all the rescue teams from all the countries saved 132 people altogether. It seems almost 200,000 people died in the earthquake," said the senior officer.
Israel's main accomplishment was in the quick deployment of the field hospital in Haiti. "For five critical days, it was the best hospital in Port-au-Prince," said the officer. "We provided timely medical care to about 1,000 people, we conducted 300 operations and delivered 16 babies. In the past few days the Americans arrived and then you can put things in proportion and become more modest in the face of their airlift and the scope of their aid. You need to understand that those who will continue to treat the main suffering there are the Americans," he added.
For Israel, this is further proof of the importance of field hospitals; the IDF closed the last one five years ago and only reopened them as part of the lessons learned from the Second Lebanon War.
Next week the Home Front Command and the Medical Corps will hold a two-day seminar, with the help of psychologists, for those returning from Haiti to prepare them for returning to their routine.
The IDF has praised the cooperation with the Foreign Ministry and El Al during the mission to Haiti. The good public relations is seen as being of only secondary importance: "Our people went to Haiti to save lives, to provide the best medical care they can and to represent Israel. That is the proper order of priorities. They did not think constantly about the blue and white flag flying overhead," said the senior officer.
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Israeli rescue team in Haiti. |
| Photo by: (AP) |
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THOSE IN NEED OF MEDICAL HELP IN ISRAEL. WE HAVE THOUSANDS WHO COULD USE THE EXPERTISE GIVEN TO THE HAITIANS. RECENT IMMIGRANTS, THE OLD AND THOSE ON THE BORDERLINE WHO DO NOT ASK FOR HELP.
Yeah, I can read all the excuses put forward by the (unnamed, I'll note) "Senior Officer" just as well as you, and I certainly don't need you to regurgitate them for me. Look, Stephen, ask yourself how many countries have set up field hospitals inside Haiti and then decided two weeks later that there was no more work left for them to do. I am quite certain the answer is: precisely one. Ask any of the other countries how long they intend to keep their field hospitals in place and the answer is certain to be: as long as it takes for the Haitian hospitals to be back up and running. But not Israel. Israel stays until the media interest starts to flag, and then it packs up and goes home. It takes about two weeks, apparently....
Israel was there when most needed. Israel had the first fully equipped field hospital. Now that all rescue attempts have been halted, the US and others are placing the priorities on heavy machinery, also studying on whether and how to rebuild the destroyed city. So, now that the mission of saving many lives has been fulfilled, also many lessons have been learnt. As for yourself,well, tell us what you did for Haiti..? Good day.
I'll note that each and every detractor has resorted to an ad-hom attack on me. Not a one of them even attempts to refute this simple question: Q: If that field hospital was set up ONLY for humanitarian reasons then WHY is it packing up after only two weeks? Go on, Darthie, explain to me how a field-hospital in an earthquake-devastated country can become redundant after just two weeks..... Run out of medicine, did it? Or did it run out of PR, perhaps?
MW: "Good heavens, Johnboy, you are posting your anti-Israel rant here too!" Mary, Israel sent a field hospital to a place that had seen all its hospitals flattened. It garnered - indeed, demanded - publicity for that humanitarian act. Two weeks later the Israelis are packing up and leaving. Now, I ask you: are field hospitals in earthquake-devestated areas something that you put up and take down in two weeks? Answer: Not from a humanitarian point of view, no, you leave them in place for a long, long time. So why is Israel packing up, Mary?
From a HUMANITARIAN point of view how long do you need to have field hospitals in place after an earthquake has destroyed all the existing hospitals? 1) A couple of weeks. 2) Many Months. 3) Several Years. 4) As long as it takes until the hospitals are rebuilt. Which one, Arnold?
C: "You had plenty to say when the Israeli team landed in Haiti (it`s all a pr stunt) and now you have something to say when they are coming home (after a job well done). " I question very much the "(after a job well done)" bit, ChanahS, because there is NO WAY that a field hospital - ANYONE'S field hospital - is no longer required in Haiti after a mere two weeks. A simple comparison: Israel is packing up after 2 weeks and 1,000 patients. CANADA is expecting to treat 500,000 patients before they are no longer needed there. Q: Why such a dramatic difference? A: Canada are there for humanitarian reasons, while Israel went there for the PR. Because once the stories dried up then so did the Israeli field hospital, and you are an idiot to deny it.
For Johnboy. Lavi said re.Johnboy,"He who faints @ the very sight of blood,except when it's Jewish." Sorry,Lavi. He drops on his knees & laps the blood like a dog !
a good prep for you next war / sorry, 'defense'...
There are those filled with envy and frustration who will always blame Israel aka Jews) for the woes of the world. History has shown that when the world is in trouble (as it is today, same as it was in the 1930s) the anti-semites crawl out of the woodwork). Today they are influenced by Muslim anti-semitism and aid and abet the Muslim cause as it fits with their agenda. I don't pity them - they deserve each other.
Until then ... Elementary education my dear Johnboy, who faints at the very sight of blood except when it's Jewish!
Readers should be reminded that we need posters like them. They provide a badly needed sense of perspective and humor. Otherwise, it would be simply boring as we would have to talk to ourselves. Why dispose of a couple of ugly pet reptiles sitting in a fish tank ?
What a wonderful job Israeli rescue and medical teams performed in Haiti. Israel can be proud. Pay no attention to Mary Hughes, who posts her words of hatred on various forums. She and others like her shouted angry venum at Israel at the beginnng of Israel's Haiti mission. Now that the Israeli team is leaving, she and the others congratulate themselves with words of sarcasm. Why? They are embarrassed, as they should be, for supporting Saudi Arabia and other wealthy Arab countries that have done little or nothing, so they strike out at Israel with hatred. Pity them.
Good heavens, Johnboy, you are posting your anti-Israel rant here too! I saw your comment on the Jerusalem Post's website for this same news story. And what precisely is Australia contributing to the effort? You should also be aware that other countries more capable than Israel have already withdrawn from Haiti. Why not bully them for awhile?
Peace Prize for Israel, For the Help, & Saving of Lives,in Haiti in extreem situations.
Running the field hospital has been good in all respects. But why is the team leaving Haiti? If America is providing a whole lot more, the Israeli group can still continue to provide what it has and can. A lot of hard work remains. Quitting does nothing.
Don't be surprised by the tripe. Par for the course.
Gaza is a very two-edged sword . Israel does make mistakes , but as long as Arabs are bent on terrorizing Israel , shooting racket into clearly civilian sections with clear purpose to murder , Israel has an obligation to clamp down . And Israel does it in most human ways , anybody else would handle a such a murderous entity as Hamas ruled Gaza . Lets hope for peace .
KOL HAKAVOD to Israel for the great work in Haiti. It is sad that the Israel Haters are posting such hate and nonsense. These people have a lot of problems and they try to take it out on Israel.
we , Jews , should not care a bit what the others think , because centuries long programmed minds can not be easily altered . Beside , that dreaded human nature ,called envy , is another factor here . And the combination of those two creates a poisonously deadly potion , after which no amount of good will suffice to alleviate that scourge .
The immediate need for Haitians was search and rescue. This meant finding and curing those injured. This was done to the complete satisfaction of the Haitian people. The next phase is clearing and rebuilding. This takes money. Money has been pledged through numerous charities and donations from millions of people around the world as we saw this past week-end with telethons. We are still waiting to see if money will be coming from the Arab world. The ones with the "Petro Dollars" Re Gaza. Please do not compare the 2 scenarios. The Palestinians have every right to as YOU say fight the occupation. But if you ask the civilian Palestinian on the street they would say that after 60 yrs maybe it is time to try a different approach. All the leadership through the 60 yrs have not done anything peacefully to prove to the Israelis that they trully want to live side by side in peace.
How about Gaza you ask, maybe you should ask why Gaza was put into that predicament in the first place...Have you forgotten the thousands of rockets which were fired on a daily basis into Israel's border towns and villages from Gaza? Was the Israeli government expected to sit on their hands and do nothing to protect their people? The finger of blame should be pointed at the culprit, Hamas.
kol ha-kavod Israel!: IDF, ElAl, Doctors, Med. Personnel, Rescue Team, Zaka (and all others behind the scenes)!! It seems that to a few (a "minority report"), Israel cannot do anything good; thank G'd the majority of the world media, readers, TV viewers, onlookers, etc. [and most importantly, the most interested people: Haitians themselves] see the good that has come from the tragedies of a small nation such as Israel, who understands that "the first 5 minutes" are the important ones to save lifes, and this was done giving so much, and the best of care, with minimum resources, stopping only to pray in strange garbs, moving some Haitians to kiss the prayer shauls. Everything touched my heart, brought tears to my eyes, helped in my prayers, and my hand reached for my wallet. As for donations, the World has spent almost 2 billion dollars to see the movie "Avatar", yet only a few hundred million in aid to Haiti...of which America bears the brunt. I wonder where the critics put their cash.
to Marlene To Mary Hughes, you are like a broken record. You cannot compare Gaza to Haiti. The Haitians are hard working PEACEFUL people while the Gazans are LAZY people whose so called govt spew hate and who exist on charity handouts. Where are the millions given to them, spent on rockets. Stop throwing rocks and firing missiles and they may get somewhere. 1.5 million people in Gaza in open prison , getting on plane and shouting at innocent people killing 400 child, 800 women and and older men what you call this??????? come on get real
You had plenty to say when the Israeli team landed in Haiti (it's all a pr stunt) and now you have something to say when they are coming home (after a job well done). Typical. There are dozens of Israeli humanitarian projects and professinals doing god work around teh world. You haven't heard of them because Israel does not report them. Most pr for the Israeli team came from international media channels and not from the Israelis themselves. You are like rancd wine made from sour grapes.
sent their medical teams, equipment and supplies to Haiti, yet the Israeli contribution has had a disproportionate amount of coverage, particularly in the US. The medical aid is vital, on the one hand, yet the Israeli propaganda is so cynically churned out that it's hard not to criticize.
... international media attention has drifted elsewhere. Therefore there is no more propaganda advantage to be gained by having this team in place. Therefore it is time to bring these guys home. After all, they are there to generate good vibes for Israel, and once those vibes stop being generated.... well..... what's the point, heh? Meanwhile, everyone else is settling in for the long haul.....
In honor of the man who told God --l will not let You go unless you bless me (Gen 32:26)., if Israel woke up today he would be proud of his own in the light of the Haiti mission and others of close to that magnitude. The man Jacob loved peace so much that among his offspring he pronounced blessings to these who led peace and love missions. The likes of Jesus Christ who stopped Peter from aggression and showed him the love side by reattaching the roman soldier ear regardless of the odds.
For your information Israel is not responsible for any suffering in Gaza,this is the responsability of the leaders of these people,namely Hamas. Please try and form your own opinion,instead of repeating the stupidities of others.
It was amazing - this team moved so quickly and helped so many people. Whenever I scoured the internatonal news networks, all I heard was "the Israeli rescue team" did this, helped here, saved lives, showed immense compassion. Although not intended, this was the best PR that Israel could get. I remember the same when the Turkish earthquake occured about 10 years ago. Kudos to the team and a note to some of our politicians - lets help other countries and people, not humiliate them. Israel has a role as a light unto the nations. This time this fantastic team of Israeli rescuers did just that.
Both places could benefit from relief. But Haiti was mostly a natural disaster. Israel helped there. Only Egypt or the US or the EU can alleviate the situation in Gaza and none of those governments seem to give a damn. Neither Israel or the Hamas governments care one whit about anything more than power and control. Remonstrating is a waste of electrons.
To Mary Hughes, you are like a broken record. You cannot compare Gaza to Haiti. The Haitians are hard working PEACEFUL people while the Gazans are LAZY people whose so called govt spew hate and who exist on charity handouts. Where are the millions given to them, spent on rockets. Stop throwing rocks and firing missiles and they may get somewhere.
This is the first time since the Oslo agreement I felt that Israel was doing something constructive and really represent the true Jewish soul and teaching. When Jews helped in Sariavo feed Muslims who escaped some of the Serbs killers was another act of greatness. Israel need to do more of this and less of what they are doing to Gaza. The time has come for Israel to take more constructive roles. Thank you for the people who made the decission to send this humanitarian team. I pray for the day that Arab and Jews help each other in this kind of situation and show the real teaching of Islam and Judaism.
What a fantastic job and a pure humanatarian effort by the IDF. The world is proud of you.
The IDF deserves high praise for a job very well done. Now, I'd like to see a report of it on the BBC's website---but I'm not holding my breath!
Congratulations on the valiant attempt to repair Israel's tarnished image. For the most part it was a bust. People haven't forgotten what Israel did to the peoople of Gaza a year ago, and it will be a very long time before dog and pony shows like this latest one will achieve their goal.
The Israeli team did a good job. It is unfortunate they are leaving when they are still sorely needed. The heavy work is about to begin, recovery and rebuilding.
Haitians are wonderful, dignified, hard working people that have been dealt, a horrific tragedy. Many here in US, educated and trained in every profession, and skill will be returniing to help rebuild their country. World outpouring much appreciated in Haiti, who deserve all the help they can possibly get. Again, congrats Israel, on job well done.
For the care and compassion they have shown for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Those who wish to politize every act will do so to further their own arguments, as will those who always question motives. It was an act of Jewish altruism, nothing less.