Dr. Yanay at work in Nauru

 

 

Israeli nephrologist, Dr. Noa Yanay, arrived in Nauru in January 2012 for a 2-month medical mission in the area of nephrology. Upon her arrival, Dr Yanay stated that the leading cause of kidney disease is diabetes, and thus the importance of prevention and control of both diabetes and high blood pressure. Dr. Yanay believes these issues should be addressed, and emphasizes that lifestyle changes can prevent diabetes and lessen complications.

 

The Hebrew University Faculty of Agriculture, Food & Environment recently hosted in cooperation with MASHAV an International Course on Crop Production under Saline Stress as a Result of Climatic Change. Saline stress is one of the major factors limiting crop production in warm and desert regions around the globe.  Approximately 30% of the world's arable land is salty. Soil salinity severely limits the areas of available fertile soil for growing crops and trees to feed the human population and farm animals.  Over the years, Israel has developed advanced technologies which show that saline soil and water can be used to grow salt-tolerant plants, thereby extending the areas where crops can grow. The aim of the course was to share with the course participants the Israeli scientific and practical knowledge in advanced crop production under extreme conditions.

Digging the fish breeding pond on site

 

         Course participants

Two MASHAV experts arrived in December 2011 to the South African community of N’wamitwa to offer a 10-day on-the-spot course on Fish Farming. The course aimed to train the participants on breeding Tilapia - a fish characterized by its large size and rapid growth and for being an excellent source of protein. The two Israeli experts focused on building a sustainable integrated aquaculture and agricultural model to assist the community achieve food security and generate income.

 

 

 

 

The heavy tropical rains that hit El Salvador in late October 2011 caused severe floods and landslides, and a state of emergency was declared. As the rains abated and the floodwaters receded, the damage to water and sanitation facilities was evident, and people returning to their communities face a serious shortage of clean water. In face of this humanitarian crisis, the Israeli Embassy in El Salvador, in cooperation with MASHAV and the Latin American Department at Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, donated 22 water purifiers (each for 45,000 liters), which were installed in education and community centers in the affected region of Bajo Lempa.

 

 

Head of MASHAV Ambassador Daniel Carmon has returned (Nov. 2011) from a headquarters visit to Ethiopia. During his stay Ambassador Carmon received updated briefings regarding the progress of MASHAV’s projects in Ethiopia, and held professional meetings with high level officials of the government of Ethiopia and with MASHAV’s copartners from Germany (GIZ) and the United States (USAID). 

 

 

A delegation from MASHAV comprised of two water and fisheries experts and headed by MASHAV’s Director of Policy Planning and External Relations, met with its German and Kenyan counterparts to examine a trilateral cooperation in the Lake Victoria area, including sustainable ways of protecting the lake’s environment by creating alternative livelihoods for the communities settled around the lake.

MASHAV is the body responsible for coordinating Israel’s official humanitarian program. In these cases, MASHAV is able to use its vast experience in crisis response to rapidly dispatch needed assistance to countries in crises.  Following is a short overview of recent activities:

 

Thailand

During the past weeks Thailand has been facing severe floods which have affected large parts of the country causing great damages. Following an official request, MASHAV together with Israel’s National Water Company –Mekorot, dispatched a professional task team (Nov. 19th) focusing on draining the water flooding the capital, Bangkok. The Israeli experts will carry out its mission in cooperation with the local authorities. Further on, due to emergency situations following natural disasters, MASHAV has recently also assisted Cambodia, El Salvador and Guatemala.

 

The Horn of Africa

The drought afflicting the Horn of Africa region has left millions at the mercy of hunger, threatening the livelihoods of farmers and putting the lives of hundreds of thousands of children at risk. In response to this crisis, the Government and the people of Israel contributed in October 2011 to the World Food Program (WGP), supporting the delivery of food packages to Somali refugees in Kenya and Ethiopia.  One donated emergency food item was especially made for children -  known as Corn Soya Chickpeas Blend (CSB Plus), it includes heat treated maize, soya beans, chickpeas, vitamins, and minerals. Israel, through MASHAV, remains committed to provide immediate relief for African nations following major crises, such as the acute humanitarian situation now facing the Horn of Africa.

 

Kenya

A shipment of medical supplies was sent in September 15th, to Kenya to assist in treating casualties of the devastating fuel-line explosion in which over one hundred people died and hundreds were injured. As details of the disaster became known, Israeli ambassador to Kenya, Gil Haskel, offered Israel’s assistance to the heads of Kenyatta National Hospital, where most of the injured are hospitalized. MASHAV is the body responsible for coordinating Israel’s official humanitarian assistance program. As such, and using its vast experience in crisis response, it rapidly organized and dispatched medical supplies including more than 360 kg of medicines for treating burns, bandaging equipment, infusion sets, ointments and painkillers.

Towards the 2012 Rio+20 Conference, the Government of Israel through MASHAV and the Ministry of Agriculture, jointly with the Secretariat of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UN-DESA) co-organized in Israel (October 25-27) a High-Level Expert Group Meeting on Using Green Agriculture to Stimulate Economic Growth and Eradicate Poverty.

 

Some 70 delegates from 27 countries participated in the meeting, which purpose was to raise awareness of the central role that green and sustainable agriculture can play to stimulate economic growth and combat poverty through the sharing of know-how, best practices and lessons learned.

 

The opening statement was delivered by Mr. Sha Zukang, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, who stated that: “Israel has proven to be a leader in agricultural technology for development, practising innovation and implementing sustainable solutions for agricultural development, food security, and climate change adaptation and mitigation. They have informed and advised the Commission on Sustainable Development on matters related to integrated water management, drylands, and sustainable crop production. We have much to learn from the Israeli agricultural experience. I wish to commend the in-country experts here today for the dedication they have shown in organizing and contributing to this ambitious and interesting program. I would therefore like to take this opportunity to thank the Israeli Government for your continued leadership, commitment, and generosity. I look forward to our continued collaboration in the coming months as we prepare for Rio+20.”  

 

The conclusions of the Expert Group Meeting were summarized in an outcome document written collectively by the participants which will be presented as a contribution of the group to the Rio+20 preparatory process and will be incorporated in the compilation document to be submitted to the second Intersessional Meeting in December 2011.

Israel and France signed (September 5th) a Declaration of Intent on a Partnership for Development Cooperation. The two parties declared their wish to establish a framework for collaborative efforts on programs and activities which shall commence by the end of 2011, enabling them to identify common interests and priorities. The objective of this cooperation is to enhance income generation, inclusive development and pro-poor growth. The first phase will include joint development activities in the fields of agriculture and irrigation, public health and gender to be implemented in Cameroon, Senegal, Ghana, Burkina Faso and Haiti. A steering committee composed of representatives from Israel and France, charged with monitoring implementation of the agreement and approving the work plans, will meet once a year.