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Israel's growing record of humanitarian efforts in Africa demonstrates a commitment to development and cooperation. From life-saving medical treatments to pioneering agricultural techniques, Israel's contributions are a living legacy. These endeavors have spanned decades, showcasing Israel's dedication to addressing challenges and driving positive change across the African continent.
Decades of Progress
A group of business, religious, community and political leaders – the Africa Leadership Summit – meets every two years in Israel. The goal of the conference is “to follow Israel’s example in establishing sustainable development programs driven by both the private and public sector in every African community,” said the president of the Summit. “Beyond the allure of technological marvels, it’s the genuine relationships with the visionaries behind them that truly matter.”
Israeli groups – government initiatives, charitable organizations and companies – work in tandem with locals to help them improve their skills while also providing long-term mentorship. Israeli experts consulted with local leaders in South Africa to improve water management. One local mayor praised the efforts: “The Israeli delegation offers an important opportunity for South Africa and Israel to work together to help solve these issues.”
“Israel holds a special place in our hearts,” a representative of Millennium Cities Initiative of Ghana and West Africa shared after Israeli neonatologists helped local doctors lower the mortality rate of newborns in Ghana.
The Israeli prime minister recently hosted the Zambian president, and discussed increasing bilateral cooperation in innovation, agriculture and food security. They also explored ways to encourage expanded Israeli investment in Zambia and make Israeli knowledge more accessible to advance relations between the two countries.
The Rwandan government and an Israeli irrigation company built an agribusiness hub to improve food security on land that wasn’t previously suitable for farming. A Rwandan representative spoke about how this “irrigation infrastructure allows farmers to have reliable access to water throughout the year, leading to increased crop yields and a more stable agricultural environment.”
Innovation:Africa, founded 15 years ago by Israeli Sivan Ya’ari, is an organization that donates Israeli solar, water and agricultural technologies to schools and medical centers. The nonprofit group has supplied safe and clean water and solar energy to more than 4 million people in rural communities across 10 African countries. Ya’ari described how she is “motivated most by the smiles on the faces of mothers as they open the taps of clean water, and the faces of the children as they switch on a light for the first time.”
A Long History of Strong African-Israeli Cooperation
Israel officially adopted a humanitarian aid agenda in 1958 as an integral part of the state’s international cooperation efforts after then Foreign Minister Golda Meir’s visit to Africa. The Israeli government’s first project was setting up ‘eye camps’ to treat preventable eye diseases. Since then, Israel has provided humanitarian assistance to more than 140 countries worldwide.
Israel's engagement in Africa took off in the 1960s. The Jewish nation began to provide technical assistance, particularly in agriculture, water management and healthcare. Israelis living in the Negev desert used their experience of turning arid land into productive fields, sharing their agricultural expertise to help African nations boost food production and improve farming practices. Water scarcity being a common challenge in both regions, Israel's pioneering drip irrigation technology proved invaluable in enhancing water efficiency and crop yields.
Charities and NGOs also have been on the forefront of delivering humanitarian aid and community development programs. IsraAID has been actively involved in emergency response, psychological support and infrastructure building across the continent. Such efforts have contributed not only to immediate relief but also to sustainable development and empowerment of local communities. Organizations like Save a Child's Heart have conducted life-saving surgeries for children from various African countries, transcending political, cultural and religious boundaries to save lives and enhance healthcare capacities.
Israel’s humanitarian aid reaches beyond Africa. Recently, Pakistani and Israeli doctors worked together to save the eyesight of Afghani children and Israeli search and rescue specialists assisted with rescue efforts in Hawaii. Israeli military technology and expertise was pivotal in the Florida condo building collapse, and Israeli soldiers and aid workers provided earthquake relief across the world, including Haiti, Mexico and Indonesia. At home, an Israeli hospital went all out to celebrate a young Palestinian girl’s birthday while she undergoes cancer treatment.
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