MAGEN DAVID ADOM IN ISRAEL IS ABOUT TO RUN OUT OF AMBULANCES. 

To anyone that has been to Israel recently, that may sound ridiculous. It is impossible to spend a day in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv or Netanya without seeing MDA’s ambulances whizz by to attend an emergency. However, this is only half the story.

MDA uses its ‘new’ ambulances for the day-to-day activities whilst keeping older ambulances in reserve for emergency situations. Many of these reserve ambulances were commissioned many years ago at the time of the Lebanon War. Put bluntly, they are no longer fit for purpose and after ten years, by law have to be retired to the reserve fleet.

The recent (and ongoing) barrage of rockets from Gaza has exposed this precarious situation once again. It has now become much more pressing as an ever-increasing number of paramedics, medics, volunteers and, of course, ambulances, are being directed to the Southern region. All the while, our focus and resources must not lapse on the Northern Border where the situation in Syria continues to unfold.

Magen David Adom UK has been asked to purchase 30 ambulances at a cost of £50,000 each over the next year and. As a community, I ask you to please help us with this special appeal.

In Israel there are thousands of people volunteering for Magen David Adom. MDA has the manpower – with your support we’ll also have the ambulances for them to save lives in.

Wishing you and your family a healthy and happy New Year.

Stephen Salt

President