A young girl gets a checkup from an Israeli doctor.

MANILA, Philippines - Elad had no idea the “stir” he would create in his home country of Israel when he volunteered to help typhoon victims in the Philippines.

The mission was simple enough: provide emergency medical care to Filipinos still reeling from the devastation caused by back-to-back typhoons.

It was the partnership with Operation Blessing, however, that would turn this simple mission into a history-making project.

In October, Elad and a team of doctors, nurses and paramedics with the Israeli organization, IsraAID, arrived in the Philippines to assist OBI with their ongoing medical missions to bring relief to typhoon victims.

"The Jewish people and Israel have a special corner in our heart when we see poor people or people in big trouble,” said Elad, who served as the team leader. “It's…in the DNA.”

For several weeks, teams of Jewish and Christian doctors worked side-by-side treating victims, often traveling by boat to reach isolated residents.

For several weeks, teams of Jewish and Christian doctors worked side-by-side treating victims, often traveling by boat to reach isolated residents.

It was the first-ever Jewish and Christian partnership of its kind for IsraAID, an umbrella organization of 17 Jewish groups that provide humanitarian aid to developing countries.

“It has been amazing to work with OBI, especially as Jews and Christians,” Elad said. “I feel like we are one, serving one God.”

As for the reaction from the homeland, radio stations and newspapers peppered Elad with questions about Operation Blessing.

“It has caused a big stir in Israel, Christians and Jews working so well together,” he said. “I was proud to tell them about who Operation Blessing is.”

In all, OB Philippines teams and partners helped reached more than 319,000 typhoon victims with emergency relief such as food, water, medical care and cleanup assistance.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help by making an online donation toward OBI's disaster relief efforts. With your support, we can continue to provide emergency relief and recovery. Please make an on-line donation today.

 

------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright © 1997- 2010 by Operation Blessing International of this page and all contents. No part of this site may be used without prior written consent from OBI. All Rights Reserved. Questions or comments? Email us at operation.blessing@ob.org.