From Israel To The Nations

July 30, 2007

In another initiative, Israel launched an operation to provide medical care and financial aid to inhabitants of remote Vietnamese jungles. Israeli Ambassador Efi Ben Matityahu decided to call off the Independence Day celebration at the embassy and put the money to better use. The mission, costing some US $50,000, was carried out in cooperation with Vietnamese clinics run by Israeli doctor Rafi Kot.

In May, a group of 54 doctors and nurses, including 5 Israeli doctors and a few Israeli nurses, left for the mountainous jungles. The crew traveled through the jungle in vehicles carrying the sign “Israel–Vietnam humanitarian mission,” setting up medical camps where some 2,500 children were treated. “We are the first Western country in the world to operate in this remote geographical region,” said Ben Matityahu. “The mission is receiving great media exposure, which brings much pride to the State of Israel.” The week-long mission was greatly praised by the Vietnamese government.

—Adapted from two articles by Itamar Eichner, Ynetnews.com

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