April 11 1999
Nissan 25 5759
Jerusalem
Logistics of JAFI Aid Operations for Kosovo Refugees
In light of the need for aid based on requests from the
government of Albania, the Jewish Agency for Israel sent over 100 tons
of humanitarian aid and supplies on seven planes which left as part of
an airlift which began on Tuesday April 6th. The supplies were
collected mostly through individual contributions by the citizens of
Israel. The first plane which left on Tuesday April 6th, 5:30 AM,
carried 30 family tents (3.5 tons), 2,000 blankets (2.5 tons), 2 tons
of non-perishable milk and 1 ton of Materna- Baby Formula. This plane
was chartered by JAFI. Accompanying this plane was Acting Chairman of
JAFI, Sallai Meridor; World Chairman of Keren Hayesod, Avi Pazner; the
Albanian Ambassador to Israel, Dashnor Dervishi; and representatives
of the media.
The 2nd plane departed on Thursday, April 8th, with a cargo of 1,200
sleeping bags, 100 snow overalls, 4 tons of non-perishable milk, 2,000
blankets, mineral water and toilet paper.
The 3rd plane departed on Friday morning, April 9th with 17 tons of
food donated by the food manufacturers of Israel; the 4th plane
departed with a cargo of 6,000 mattresses on Sunday morning, April
11th. Two more flights will depart on Monday, April 12th , and the
7th flight will leave on Tuesday, April 13th.
On Friday April 2nd JAFI announced the opening of a special bank
account in which individuals could deposit contributions. Israeli
citizens have been contributing generously, and as of April 11th ,
over 4 million NIS have been raised. Similarly JAFI opened a 24 hour
phone line for direct contributions from the Israeli public using the
infrastructure of the "Spirit of Israel Campaign" the phone number is
03-6363553 or *5533 from any Israeli mobile phone. The bank account is
with Bank Leumi's central Jerusalem branch account number (901)
630000/32. In addition to the monetary contributions, the net value of
the supplies donated stands at 2 million NIS.
The Jewish Agency opened 5 drop off centers for collection of blankets
at various JAFI locations in Jerusalem , Tel-Aviv, Carmiel, and Be'er
Sheva. Over 15,000 blankets were collected. JAFI itself supplied 2,000
blankets from its warehouse.
In cooperation with Galei Zahal Army Radio and the Tel-Aviv
Municipality, JAFI held a full day of live contributions over the air
on Thursday , April 11th, which culminated in an assembly in Rabin
Square in Tel-Aviv with the participation of Israeli leading pop
stars.
The response of the Israeli public has been overwhelming.
On Monday morning, April12th, JAFI will send a special chartered
Boeing 737 to bring 100 Kosovo refugees from Skopje in Macedonia to
Israel. On the outward bound flight from Tel-Aviv to Skopje the plane
will be carrying 8 tons of medical aid donated by the Jerusalem
Municipality, Hadassah, Sha'arei Tzedek, and Bikur Holim Hospitals.
JAFI is responsible for processing the refugees in Skopje, flying
them to Israel and their initial absorption. Accompanying this flight
will be a delegation representing UJA Federations of North America,
headed by Carole Solomon, National UJA Chair.
The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Government Ministers
and the Co-Chairman of the Aliyah Committee of JAFI, Chaim Chesler,
will meet the refugees at a ceremony to be held at Ben Gurion Airport
on Monday afternoon at 2:00 pm at the Immigration Hall.
For more information contact:
Michael Jankelowitz
Liaison to Foreign Press and Media, JAFI
Tel: 972-2-6202780
Fax: 972-2-6202708
Mobile:972-51-601-706
