In a special operation which began at the weekend, sleeping bags and hot meals were distributed to the homeless and elderly who cannot leave their homes. A special telephone contact center for assistance opened today at MDA.
The stormy weather that began at the end of the week has not left MDA crews indifferent: In a special operation jointly organized by MDA and the Ministry of the Interior, MDA workers and volunteers have begun distributing sleeping bags to the homeless and elderly in order to help them get through the days of intense cold.
In addition, a special telephone contact center opened today. The elderly and sick who are in need of assistance and a hot meal can call the center at 1-700-500-430 so that MDA volunteers can reach them and offer help. The center will be open today (Sunday) and tomorrow (Monday) from 8:00 to 22:00.
MDA General Director, Eli Bin, and Minister of the Interior, Eli Yishai, decided upon this operation in order to reduce the number of victims of the cold weather as much as possible.
“We will help as much as possible anyone who is in distress due to the storm. We are talking about humanitarian activity of the highest level, and I have no doubt that, with our combined forces, we will make things considerably easier for many people”, said Minister Yishai.
MDA General Director, Eli Bin, explained: “Past experience has taught us that on days of stormy weather, many elderly and homeless people find themselves unable to protect themselves from the cold and are unable to take care of providing themselves with hot food. Magen David Adom workers and volunteers who are deployed throughout the country are gladly joining up to assist these very people.
In an attempt to prevent frostbite among the homeless and lonely elderly, sleeping bags and hot water bottles have been purchased and will be distributed by means of off-duty ambulances. In addition, MDA crews who arrive at the home of an ill person who doesn’t have enough blankets will provide the sick person with blankets to protect him or her from the cold. MDA volunteers will also distribute hot food to the sick and elderly who cannot leave their homes.
For the purpose of providing effective care in response to requests for aid, MDA has opened the special contact center which will be in operation throughout the duration of the storm. MDA is asking the public to inform Welfare Services of homeless people who are forced to cope with the cold by themselves.
MDA takes this opportunity to remind the public that 13 people died from the cold weather last year. Seven of the victims were homeless who were forced to cope with the harsh weather, lacking conditions enabling basic existence.
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