Recently, I spoke with my good friend, John Eibner, the head of the human rights organization, Christian Solidarity International in Switzerland . What was not my surprise, when I heard John at the other end of the line telling me he’s in Juba, celebrating with friends the independence of the Republic of South Sudan , marking the end of much of Christian suffering and persecution at the hands of Muslim extremists. John said: “CSI is committed to working with the new Republic of South Sudan for the eradication of Sudanese slavery.”
As that new baby Republic sees the light of an independent life, there will be manifold obstacles and impediments, as its population learns how to lead a responsible, productive life.
And, among the first countries who welcomed the establishment of the new Republic, was Israel , whose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at his weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday, “Yesterday, a new state was born, South Sudan . I hereby announce that Israel recognizes the Republic of South Sudan. We wish it much success."
But, along with the good wishes, an Israeli organization will be actually sending humanitarian aid worth $100,000 which will include food, water, medical supplies and non-food items. A very useful house-warming present. 
Interestingly, the organization, IsraAid, is an umbrella group of Israeli and Jewish humanitarian aid organizations.
Some participating organizations are: “Save a Child’s Heart” that provides urgently needed pediatric cardiac surgery and advanced follow-up care for children from developing countries suffering of congenital heart diseases. The children could be from a variety of countries, such as Ethiopia, Nigeria, Zanzibar, Congo, China, Viet Nam, Ghana, Jordan, Moldova, the Ukraine and the Palestinian Authority. Surgical and medical teams travel overseas to train and perform surgeries on site and screen children that will come to Israel for treatment. SACH also has a full outreach-training program for the medical personnel of the developing countries. Since its inception in 1995, over 750 children were treated and their lives have been saved.
Another one is “F.I.R.S.T.” acronym for Fast Israel Rescue & Search Team, a group of 550 volunteers from all corners of Israel who for the past 20 years have dedicated their time and risked their lives to save tens of thousands of people faced by disastrous situations in Israel and abroad. In times of national, international emergency and disaster. They have gone from Japan to Peru , in the aftermath of terror attacks or devastating earthquakes or tsunamis. Israel was among the first to provide assistance for the survivors of the Haiti devastating earthquake in January 2010.
There is also “IFA”, Israel Flying Aid, which in March 2008 helped doctors raise funds for communities in distress in Ethiopia; in mid-June 2006, they helped Indonesian earthquake victims in the Island of Java; in September 2005, they sent a team to the Katrina affected region; in July 2005, IFA sent relief aid to flood victims in Georgia, and so much more.
“The Israeli Friends of The Tibetan People,” which sent post-trauma experts to Mumbai following the terror attacks of December 2008. And Israeli agricultural expertise also has helped Tibetan refugees, 2007.And we could go on.
“The American Jewish Committee,” AJC whose mission is to safeguard the welfare and security of Jews in the United States , in Israel , and throughout the world. Back in 2007, in the wake of storm Noel, sent urgent aid to the Dominican Republic and Mexico , to assist in efforts for their recovery and reconstruction. In the aftermath of 2007 earthquake in Peru , they also sent humanitarian aid for the victims. Their humanitarian relief has also expanded to Somalia , Darfur and India .
But, let’s now take a look at the official overseas development cooperation that Israel launched back in 1958, Mashav, whose “... aim [is to share] with the rest of the developing world the know-how and technologies which provided the basis for Israel ’s own rapid development.” Since its inception, the Center has trained almost 200,000 people from roughly 140 countries -in Israel and abroad- and has developed dozens of demonstration projects worldwide in their fields of expertise, aiming to alleviate poverty, provide and secure food, empower women -after all, Israeli women are an important part of the compulsory national army.
Mashav also provides solutions in the field of health, bringing along the most amazing developments Jewish Israeli scientists discover, develop and improve. Its activities are focused on areas where Israel has most expertise, which go from water resource management and irrigation, desert agriculture, early childhood education, emergency and disaster medical care, and much more.
Mashav believes in consulting with local partners and is committed to cooperating with partners throughout the developing world, developing community-driven development programs and studies.
In all, Israel’s Mashav strives in focusing on the human capacity building and training that are so essential to any developing country in becoming self-sustaining and self-sufficient.
The humanitarian outreach Israel performs is oriented for the benefit of developing countries -which, as in the case of the brand newly created Republic of Southern Sudan will welcome open arms their thoughtful, humanitarian contribution.
Worrying for others, contributing to their well-being is in itself a Jewish tradition that is continued in Israel . We learn it from our baby steps. “Tikkun Olam” is the notion that we are in this world help fix it, make it better.
Whenever there is a natural disaster or a human tragedy, Israel is always among the first countries to volunteer and send their experts, men and women, who at risk of their lives are willing to do so to save the lives of others.
Goodwill Ambassador Eliana Benador is a national and international political adviser, global strategist and the former CEO and founder of Benador Associates. She can be followed on Twitter , on her political page on Facebook and her business page on Facebook. Her political column, “In the Eye of the Storm” is published by Right News Side, among others.
