Disaster Relief Center Israel – Ashkelon
HOPE FOR ISRAEL: CRISIS MANAGEMENT | EMERGENCY AID | TRAUMA THERAPY
12.10.2023: I am reporting directly from Israel, where I am currently on the ground seeing and witnessing the terrifying effects of the current attack on Israel. As the head of the NGO House of Hope, I feel it is imperative to report directly to you about the urgent situation and our immediate needs and actions.
Israel continues to struggle with the aftermath of the attack, which is still continuing. To date, tragically, over 1,200 people have been killed and 199 people have been abducted from various regions due to terrorist attacks. The number of missing is unclear. The most affected cities have been called for evacuation by the government for security reasons, causing shock among the population. Trauma therapists are absolutely necessary in the current situation.
The situation is particularly critical in Ashkelon, where support is most urgently needed. The government has asked for our help here and as a result, we are establishing our first House of Hope Relief Center in this city.
At House of Hope, we are working tirelessly to fill the gaps left by the attack. Our tasks include:
- Providing food and shelter to those in need.
- Coordinating and synchronizing the efforts of various NGOs and non-profit organizations.
- Providing rapid emergency assistance near the most affected cities, such as Sderot, Re’im, Ashkelon and Ashdod.
- Offering trauma therapy services at relief centers (which will be established immediately).
- Encouraging and supporting families during these difficult times.
We are not here to reinvent the wheel, but to fill in the gaps, provide coordination efforts, and provide much needed services and resources that add value to Israel and its people during this crisis.
We maintain good relationships with government officials and local stakeholders to keep our operations efficient and effective.
Together, we can bring hope to those who need it most.
Greetings from Israel
Martin Dieckmann
Current Situation In Ashkelon
ASHKELON
Ashkelon is a coastal city in the southern district of Israel on the Mediterranean coast, 50 kilometers (30 miles) south of Tel Aviv and 13 kilometers (8 miles) north of the border with the Gaza Strip. More than 160,000 residents currently live in Ashkelon, including many Russian- and Ukrainian-speaking immigrants who have just escaped the war in Ukraine.
Because of the old architecture, more than 40,000 people have no bomb shelter in many places. Elderly people living in retirement homes, some of them disabled, depend on daily food deliveries, also families with low income. Local teams and initiatives are trying to provide food to people on a daily basis, especially because there are no stores open nearby due to the war. Right now, about 10% of the population relies on food donations every day.
Ashkelon experiences up to 400 rocket attacks per year and you can hear the bombings nearby. Hundreds of rockets have been fired at Ashkelon since the beginning of the war. Many buildings have been destroyed. When alerted, people have 30 seconds to run to a bomb shelter. Not everyone has one available. The government is still taking care of tracking down some terror groups in the city. In southern Israel, 199 people have been kidnapped and more than 1200 people have been killed.
Especially the children are very affected by the current situation, because their lives have changed dramatically. Schools are closed, there are no services and similar to the Corona quarantine, everyone is locked up at home. The entire population is in a state of shock and many people have trauma from what they have seen and experienced.
STATUS, GOALS, NEXT STEPS
We met with the Ashkelon Mayor’s Working Group and Knesset Member Alex Kushnir and presented them with our relief concept for the Ashkelon Disaster Relief Center. Our concept proposal was accepted with great gratitude and the desire was expressed that this should be done in partnership with the Israeli government. It was reiterated that the need for such a center was great. The strategically important location of Ashkelon was discussed.
The Israeli government wants to work immediately to implement the project and has already offered a space that can accommodate over 100 people from various organizations and is bomb proof.
Our goal is to invite national and international organizations involved in crisis management or humanitarian aid to work together to provide rapid and effective assistance (Our Hope Hub concept for Relief Centers). The concept should then be rapidly multiplied to open more centers in the country.
This is exactly what is needed now. We also invite supporters to donate to this project, as it requires start-up investments to prepare these relief centers. Especially in these times, it is important and effective to work together.
CURRENT FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS
Initial costs for the Disaster Relief Center Ashkelon: 28.242 Euro per month
Initial cost of food for the population: 367.500 euros
Technical equipment Relief Center: 18.750 euros
Emergency camp: 87.500 Euro
Details and the fundraising application form are available upon request.
Please contact: simon.hubert@houseofhope.ngo
OUTLOOK
Depending on the political situation, we would set up additional disaster relief centers in other places where there is a need. Including places that are not directly affected, but which accommodate many affected people. After the conflict has ended, the networks created will create a hope center in every community, which will provide lasting help and change.
Thank you for your support!
People Without Bomb Shelter
%
Daily Reliance On Food
Rocket Attacks Per Year On Ashkelon
Israelis Were Killed
HELP ISRAEL WITH YOUR DONATION
CHANGE LIFE IN ISRAEL TOGETHER
Your donations are the fuel we need to get our mission of hope off the ground and grow our impact! Thank you for believing in us; together we can do something for the people of Israel today and change lives – one thing at a time: down-to-earth, practical and people-centered.
Donation Account
SPARKASSE GÖTTINGEN
IBAN: DE52 2605 0001 0056 0794 03
BIC: NOLADE21GOE
Intended Purpose: : „Help for Israel“