Israel knows about emergencies. Again and again, Israel has rushed to scenes of natural disaster anywhere in the world. IDF emergency teams were first on the ground in Haiti after a monumental earthquake; they were among the first to reach the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan; and they are already delivering aid and medical care to the victims of Nepal’s deadly earthquake.

Hadassah Medical Organization (HMO) is proud that our physicians are part of the IDF emergency team. Pediatrician Dr. Uri Ilan and anesthesiologist/critical care expert Dr. Yuval Meroz left for Nepal one day ago. Today, Dr. Shree Krishna Kashichawa, a resident in orthopedics, flew to Nepal. Dr. Kashichawa is from the Katmandu Valley in Nepal, and came to HMO following medical school in China. His parents and five married siblings live in the area of the earthquake, and he is eager to be part of the mission.

We mourn for all those who perished in the earthquake, and pray for the strength of the survivors. Some 500 Israelis are known to be in the area of the earthquake; 100 more remain out of contact.