Operation Olive Branches: MDA Responds

Magen David Adom UK has joined forces with crisis response charity Goods for Good, medicines and essentials supplier Durbin and Virgin Atlantic, who have donated the flight, to deliver the humanitarian response in less than seven days.  

One of the first UK aid flights to Turkey has left Heathrow airport today (Tuesday), containing more than £350,000 worth of vital supplies for those in need following last week’s earthquake in the region.  

A specially chartered Virgin Atlantic cargo only flight departed, transporting 64 pallets of clothing and other essential supplies, including 31,000 coats and blankets and almost a tonne (990kg) of infant milk powder. The destination of the flight is Adana, a city approximately 115 miles from the epicentre of the earthquake, in Gaziantep province. The shipment will be handled on the ground by AFAD, the Turkish Government’s Aid Agency. 

Shai Weiss, CEO at Virgin Atlantic, commented; “The loss of life and scenes of destruction in Turkey and Syria following the earthquake are truly devastating.  We are doing all we can to support the relief effort and are pleased to once again partner with MDA UK to transport vital supplies to the region.  Virgin Atlantic and its partners are united in the belief that business can be a force for good and we’ll continue to stand ready should further opportunities arise.”  

Daniel Burger, CEO of Magen David Adom UK said, “The UK public has made a heartfelt and generous response to those affected by the Turkey-Syria earthquake but it is vital those donations turn into aid as quickly as possible to help those in need. The response by all the charities involved to turn around such a huge aid operation so quickly has been an incredible effort and we’d like to thank all those involved for making this happen.” 

H.E. Ümit Yalçın, Ambassador of Türkiye in London said: “I would like to convey my sincere gratitude for the efforts of Magen David Adom-UK in providing relief assistance to those in need in the aftermath of the earthquakes in Türkiye. I would like to thank them for their solidarity in this time of need.”

None of this would be possible without the support of our community here in the UK. Your donations have quite literally saved lives – and the need will continue to grow in the coming weeks and months. If you would like to support the work of Magen David Adom at this time, please click on the link below:

More MDA Paramedics, members of the national disaster response team, have joined the Operation Olive Branches delegation in Turkey. The teams have had many success stories in Turkey, rescuing and treating victims.

In the coming days Magen David Adom, the Israeli Red Cross, will coordinate with other Red Cross societies around the world as well as the International Red Cross Federation in order to set up a field hospital.

The below video shows another successful rescue from the Israeli delegation. In this amazing window into a dramatic rescue, you see the moments a 65-year-old Turkish citizen being removed from under the rubble. MDA paramedic and head of the delegation was on hand to provide emergency care.

None of this would be possible without the support of our community here in the UK. Your donations have quite literally saved lives – and the need will continue to grow in the coming weeks and months. If you would like to support the work of Magen David Adom at this time, please click on the link below:

Update 08/02/2023

MDA representative on the Israeli mission to Turkey, senior paramedic Felix Lotan, describing the difficult scenes, after rescuing a 12 year old boy and 23 year old woman.

MDA is in constant contact with the Turkish Red Crescent, and Director General Eli Bin has said that MDA is preparing to build a designated field hospital and will provide humanitarian and medical aid wherever needed.

None of this would be possible without the support of our community here in the UK. Your donations have quite literally saved lives – and the need will continue to grow in the coming weeks and months. If you would like to support the work of Magen David Adom at this time, please click on the link below:

Magen David Adom is in constant contact with the Turkish Red Crescent – where it is reported that apart from the 10 regions affected by the earthquake – there are apparently additional communities that were damaged – but the access roads to them are blocked, and depending on the situation assessment, additional international medical and rescue forces will be requested by Turkey. Therefore, Magen David Adom, the Israeli Red Cross, is preparing alongside the German, Norwegian and Canadian Red Cross Societies for an immediate establishment of a dedicated field hospital, where they will be able to provide medical and humanitarian aid.

Disaster Preparedness Director at MDA Director Generals’ office Chaim Rafalowski: “Given the weather conditions in Turkey – apart from rescuing the injured from the ruins, medical assistance is also required for those who are without a roof over their heads. The need for medical and humanitarian aid is expected to last for many weeks and Magen David Adom representatives already working in Turkey, are helping the emergency rescue forces, working in the disaster areas. We are in continuous contact with the Turkish Red Crescent, as well as with some of the largest Red Cross societies in the world and are prepared to provide additional medical and humanitarian aid immediately.”

MDA Director General Eli Bin: “Magen David Adom – the Israeli Red Cross Society – has many years of experience in medical and humanitarian aid to many countries affected by natural disasters. The professional officials at MDA are constantly monitoring the results of the disaster in Turkey and are in daily contact with the professional officials in the country. MDA representatives who are in the epicenters of the disaster are assisting the rescue forces in the field, and in cooperation with other Red Cross organizations in the world, preparations are being made to establish a dedicated field hospital for humanitarian and medical aid.’

Lieutenant colonel (ret.) Felix Lotan’s team, from MDA, are operating in the city of Kahramanmaras, describing it as a “huge disaster” area.

“It was very difficult to get into the city because the roads were destroyed and people were leaving while rescue teams were entering at the same time. It was a nightmare,” Lotan said.

“My team succeeded in rescuing a 12-year-old boy. We drilled a hole through the basement and dragged him out. He received medical treatment from us and was then sent to a hospital,” he said, adding that another Israeli team managed to save a boy overnight as well.

Early yesterday morning a Magen David Adom team landed in Turkey as part of the official Israeli delegation. As Israel’s representative to the International Red Cross & Red Crescent, Magen David Adom is participating after consultations with the Israeli government, the Turkish Red Crescent, and the regional office of the Red Cross. 

 

Tens of thousands have been injured in the Turkey earthquake. Your support will help Israel and MDA’s response.