March 20, 2003
16 Adar II, 5763
Jerusalem

JEWISH AGENCY OPENS SITUATION ROOMS. IMMIGRANTS IN ALL ABSORPTION CENTERS, STUDENTS IN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, AND VOLUNTEERS FULLY EQUIPPED AND PREPARED.

As of 05:30 this morning the Jewish Agency opened its situation room which is linked to all Jewish Agency facilities to all Israeli Defense, Security and Emergency services by state-of the art communications equipment. Ron Barak, Director of Security for the Agency, reports that all populations for which the Jewish Agency is responsible have been fully equipped and have been prepared on what to do should an emergency situation arise. Hebrew studies in Jewish Agency language classes (ulpanim) are taking place as usual.

All new immigrants in Jewish Agency absorption centers are equipped with protective kits and all centers have protected spaces. These centers are linked by secure lines to regional Jewish Agency situation rooms. 10,371 new immigrants reside at centers and institutions for which the Jewish Agency is responsible: Some 10,000 new immigrants currently reside in 34 agency absorption centers and another 500 are in Kibbutz ulpanim. In addition students at four Jewish Agency youth villages; some 900 young adults are studying in Jewish Agency educational programs (250 in the Institute for Foreign Instructors Hamachon Lemadrichi Huta Laaretz) and Israel experience programs have been fully equipped and prepared on what to do in case of emergency.

None of the 170 volunteers from abroad, serving in Jewish Agency volunteer programs (e.g. Magen David Adom Overseas Volunteer Program, Sarel, Marvah, and professional internship programs) have left the country. They have all been fully equipped with emergency gear and drilled on what to do in time of emergency.

Under the guidance of the Home Front Command staff at all Jewish Agency facilities had been trained on how to function under emergency situations and how to instruct immigrants tourists for whom they are responsible. Jewish Agency Psychologists and social workers have been incorporated into this effort.

The directors of each Jewish Agency facility have organized, in coordination with the Home Front Command instruction what to do in time of emergency. Such instruction was given by soldiers, either in Hebrew with simultaneous translation, or in the native language of the immigrants. Likewise all Jewish Agency installations are equipped with video-cassettes (in all the relevant languages) on what to do in the event of an emergency.

Contingency announcements in four languages exist in all Jewish Agency absorption centers, which are equipped with PA systems. Thus by pushing a button Agency staff will be able to issue emergency announcements and instructions to inhabitants. Sophisticated communications equipment has been distributed to each Jewish Agency facility.

The Jewish Agency will continue to monitor the situation.

For additional information contact
the Office of the Spokesman:
Yehuda Weinraub
Liaison to Foreign Press and Media
Jewish Agency for Israel
Mobile:972-53-927017
Fax: 972-2-6204013