Preparing Israelis with Special Needs for Iraqi War
Experience has shown that by preparing in advance for an emergency, people respond correctly and wisely when the need arises. To read a special summary,
Special Report: War in Iraq - Playing our Part in Helping Israel.
With the threat of an Iraqi war looming, Israeli citizens are taking the necessary steps to ensure their personal safety. Everyone is equipped with a gas mask and families have mapped out the routes to their nearest sealed shelters. Yet, there are those in Israeli society who cannot help themselves in the case of an emergency and JDC is helping to ensure that they are kept safe. Here are three ways:
One of the most urgent tasks is to help Israel's 30,000 citizens with special needs who are unable to wear the standard, regulation gas masks issued by the army for use during a chemical or biological attack. JDC's immediate response, has been to provide funding for the manufacture and distribution of specially adapted gas masks to ensure the physically and mentally disabled, those who suffer from acute respiratory illness, the autistic, and the frail elderly are protected. To read more,
Customized Gas Masks for Israelis with Special NeedsA Mother's Fear Alleviated with Gas Mask Designed for Autistic Child
Second, the Israel Defense Force has asked JDC to help prepare sealed rooms in public institutions and daycare facilities built prior to the Gulf War. To date, JDC has worked to help prepare sealed rooms in some 120 public institutions and day care facilities that house Israel's special needs populations. To read more,
IDF asks JDC to Prepare Sealed Rooms
in Public Institutions and Day Care Facilities
One Less Worry: Sealed Room Now Available
for Elderly
A third initiative involved the JDC, in collaboration with Israel's Home Front Command, JDC-Eshel, the National Insurance Institute and the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, Services to the Elderly, producing a brochure outlining safety measures and precautions to take. These brochures are printed in Hebrew, Arabic, Russian and English and are written primarily for the elderly and immigrants who may not know what to do in an emergency situation. To obtain a copy or download,
Preparing for a State of Emergency: A guide for the Elderly
