Magen David Adom in Israel is recognised by the State of Israel as the only first aid, blood bank service and disaster relief organisation. It operates according to the principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
MDA was officially recognised as an emergency life-saving service as a result of the riots in Israel in 1929. MDA was founded in Tel Aviv on 7 June 1930 by a group of seven Israeli doctors as a one-room emergency medical service. Today MDA has over 14 000 highly trained volunteers and 1 400 employees. It maintains 105 life saving ambulance stations, all of which are linked by modern communication technology. MDA operates a nationwide ambulance fleet of 750 ambulances, 110 Mobile Intensive Care Units which are equipped for immediate diagnosis and treatment in cardiac emergencies.
MDA receives minimal government funding. Its lifesaving work in Israel which is 24/7 is funded by a combination of voluntary donations from Friends of MDA in 17 countries around the world and payment from patients and hospitals. MDA provides its service to all regardless of race, creed or ethnic affiliation.
Pro rata among the international MDA bodies, South African Jewry has been among the most generous contributors to this vital humanitarian organisation. Many times in the past the South African Friends of MDA have proven their loyalty and support for MDA. MDA is eternally grateful to the people who give so generously. WHO EVER SAVES A LIFE HAS SAVED AN ENTIRE WORLD.
Should you wish to make a donation by credit card please telephone the MDA
office with your details.
For more info
2131
Telephone: +2711 645 2571 (Direct)
Telephone: +2711 645 2500 (Switchboard)
Facsimile: +2711 485 3704
mailto:mda@beyachad.co.za
A group of youth leaders from Australia and
SA visited Magen David Adom Blood Services
On the initiative of the student organization WUJS, a group of students from Australia and South Africa, who are in Israel on a two week seminar for youth leadership, visited (5.1.2011) the Blood Services of MDA.
One of the members of the group volunteered in 2008 in Jerusalem as part of the MDA oversees volunteers program.
Professor Shinar, Director of the MDA Blood Services, gave them a overview of the tasks of the Blood Services and its importance to the inhabitants of Israel both in times of peace and war.
The visitors showed great interest in the subject of rare blood groups in Israel and in the Public Umbilical Cord Blood Bank. Later they toured the laboratories and some of them donated blood.
In addition they were given a talk by Sharon Malecki who lives in Melbourne Australia, and is at this time a volunteer at the MDA Haifa Station, as part of the MDA oversees volunteer program, in memory of Yochay Porat Z"L.
Sharon is Co-President of Young Magen David Adom Friends in Melbourne and works to increase the awareness and cooperation between the student organizations there, and amongst those who have finished taking part in the MDA oversees volunteers program, trying to encourage youngsters in Australia and additional countries to take a part in the activities in aid of Israel and MDA in their own countries.
To finish off their visit, they learnt about the range of services that MDA gives to society in Israel, interaction with the Palestinian Red Crescent society and the International Red Cross Organisation, and the humanitarian aid that MDA gives to different countries in the world when they are in trouble.
One of the worst Mass Casualties Incident in Israel’s history has caused substantial casualties and damage in the area of Kibbutz Beit Oren in a part of Carmel forest.
Fire Fighters are trying to cope and handle the fire and in order to assist the residents of Kibbutz Beit Oren, the Druze village of Ussfyah, the Damon prison, and Haifa University.
So far some 40 people are reported dead and dozens of others, among them prison guards and firemen are reported injured. There unconfirmed reports of more casulties
More than 50 MDA Ambulance teams are at the scene supported by MDA helicopters. Some 150 MDA Staff and volunteers headed by MDA Director General and Directors of MDA Carmel Region are working in great danger to assist
Dear Friends,
The SAZF, the IUA, JNF, WIZO, together with the Office of the Chief Rabbi the SAJBD and Magen David Adom in South Africa, are saddened to spread the news of the devastating forest fires throughout northern Israel. The largest fire ever in the history of Israel has claimed the lives of 41 rescue workers. These young cadets were dispatched to help with the evacuations, their bus was engulfed with fire and no one survived.
"This is a disaster of unprecedented proportions," said Mr. Netanyahu.
Over 17,000 residents, including 600 prison inmates, were evacuated as the blaze raged out of control, devastating hundreds of acres of pine forest before sweeping down the slopes of the Carmel plateau towards Israel's third largest city [Haifa]. Aid has been offered from the following countries: Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, France, Croatia, Russia, Spain, The United States and Romania.
Over 300 Paramedics & Medics accompanied by 67 Ambulances, 11 Mobile Intensive Care Units, 2 Multi Casualty Response Vehicles and 1 helicopter are spread across the communities and cities affected by the blaze.
In addition, our logistics division is supporting the teams with food, water and warm clothes and Magen David Adom Blood Services has supplied 320 units of blood components and 39 blood units to the Haifa hospitals.
Should the situation worsen, 45 Paramedics with 15 MICU’s are ready to respond.
In coordination with our colleagues in the Israeli emergency services, our teams have been working around the clock. However, at a time when the organisation is subject to huge demand for its services, we must make an appeal for your support. The precise cost of this operation to Magen David Adom is currently unknown but is expected to run into millions of dollars. (So far it has cost 1m shekels a day).
Israel has never been affected by a natural disaster of this calibre. Israel needs our support.
Our community is launching an emergency campaign to stop the fires and to help the evacuees.
Magen David Adom in South Africa has created a fund to support emergency medical supplies and ambulances.
Bank: - Standard
Branch code: - 004105
Account no: - 001817256
Name of Account: - Magen David Adom in SA
Fax proof of payment together with name and address to 011 485 3704
Or Call: Beulah 011-645-2571 or 0797619572 for Credit Card Payments
As we celebrate the Hanukah lights, help us fight the blaze in Israel.
The fires in the Carmel region are already being seen as Israel’s worst ever natural disaster. There have been 41 fatalities to date and thousands casualties and in excess of 17,000 thousand people have fled their homes.
Magen David Adom is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organisation. In order to continue to provide this outstanding level of service, we rely on your donations.
We ask you to please give generously to this emergency appeal.
Magen David Adom is not an ordinary ambulance service.
In these extraordinary times, we depend on you to save more lives.
If you wish to find out how Magen David Adom in Israel is responding to this disaster, log onto www.mdasa.org.za and become a FRIEND OF MDA in South Africa today – it is FREE.
Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Thank you and Chanukah Sameach
