August 14, 2008

The War in Georgia

We have been following the daily updates on the crisis in Georgia and know from both U.S. and Israeli media that this is a major humanitarian crisis and definitely something reminiscent of the 1960’s. As we have done in the past when we do not have any personal contacts on the ground, we are relying on the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) to allocate our funds to those needs which they identify on an hourly basis. We know that "the Joint" uses its resources effectively and efficiently and are comfortable sending what we can to them when we have no direct representation present. Our donation has been mailed today.

We share the following excerpt from the JDC web site. It is almost as if we are on the scene ourselves.

JDC SOS Van Delivers Humanitarian Aid Packages

The JDC van’s next stop was the almost ruined house of the Frankel family: mother Irina burst into tears when she saw the bus arriving at her door. Having no transportation, Irina and her husband could not leave their house; their 15-year-old developmentally disabled son was in shock and unable to go on foot.

While the father was putting their belongings in the van, a neighbor named Natela was helping her friend Irina prepare to leave. In the conversation with JDC staff, Natela revealed that she and her husband were Jewish. When it was suggested they evacuate, she thanked them but refused: "My husband is a doctor in the local hospital. We just can’t leave when so many people need medical assistance and so few doctors are available. We have decided to stay. . . ." The JDC team left the family with packages of humanitarian aid, enough so that her husband could distribute the packages in the hospital to the neediest patients. "We are facing here every minute dozens of people who desperately need food-today even bread is great deficit! These packages are sure to save the lives of many!" said Natela.

Today’s report is one more example of JDC’s ongoing commitment to ensure safety and security of Jews wherever and whenever they are in need.

http://www.jdc.org/news_press_2008_georgia.html