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Israelis and Jordanians unite for emergency preparedness
10 Mar 2010
A regional emergency response team of Jordanians and Israelis is forging collaboration that could save lives and contribute to real peace between the two peoples.
By Karin Kloosterman - Israel 21c
The tragedy that struck Haiti recently is a vivid wakeup call for authorities in Israel and neighboring countries. The area surrounding Jerusalem, the Dead Sea, the city of Jericho controlled by the Palestinian Authority, and Amman, Jordan are all at risk from a major earthquake that could topple the region.
Launched in October, the three-year academic medical emergency training program is in the process of teaching young Jordanians and Israelis how to work together as a frontline team in a concerted regional response to emergency scenarios.
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Rapid response to a humanitarian crisis
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"When there is disaster at the border or in one country there is a need for collaboration, and help is most effective between countries that are close to each other," Adini relates.
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Rarely do the two people cross their shared border, officially open for travel and business...
.... Meanwhile, she sees multiple benefits to the cooperation with Jordan, in the realms of managing natural disasters and even outbreaks of flu.
"If there is another major health problem close to the H5N1 virus (bird flu), then we would need collaboration regarding vaccinations and anti-virals. If we have collaboration between nations we would have a more effective response model. We want to be able to take the lessons learned at other disasters around the world and implement them in this region," says Adini, who works part-time at Ben Gurion University, and the rest of the time with the government health services.
Disaster knows no borders
"I believe once disaster strikes nobody looks into the issue of borders. Cross-country collaboration is very relevant today and is the goal of most countries. We need to put aside frictions and conflict because once there is some sort of disaster, then the goal of all the forces would be the same: A joint and collaborative response that can save lives."
10 Mar 2010
A regional emergency response team of Jordanians and Israelis is forging collaboration that could save lives and contribute to real peace between the two peoples.
By Karin Kloosterman - Israel 21c
The tragedy that struck Haiti recently is a vivid wakeup call for authorities in Israel and neighboring countries. The area surrounding Jerusalem, the Dead Sea, the city of Jericho controlled by the Palestinian Authority, and Amman, Jordan are all at risk from a major earthquake that could topple the region.
Launched in October, the three-year academic medical emergency training program is in the process of teaching young Jordanians and Israelis how to work together as a frontline team in a concerted regional response to emergency scenarios.
.....
Rapid response to a humanitarian crisis
.....
"When there is disaster at the border or in one country there is a need for collaboration, and help is most effective between countries that are close to each other," Adini relates.
....
Rarely do the two people cross their shared border, officially open for travel and business...
.... Meanwhile, she sees multiple benefits to the cooperation with Jordan, in the realms of managing natural disasters and even outbreaks of flu.
"If there is another major health problem close to the H5N1 virus (bird flu), then we would need collaboration regarding vaccinations and anti-virals. If we have collaboration between nations we would have a more effective response model. We want to be able to take the lessons learned at other disasters around the world and implement them in this region," says Adini, who works part-time at Ben Gurion University, and the rest of the time with the government health services.
Disaster knows no borders
"I believe once disaster strikes nobody looks into the issue of borders. Cross-country collaboration is very relevant today and is the goal of most countries. We need to put aside frictions and conflict because once there is some sort of disaster, then the goal of all the forces would be the same: A joint and collaborative response that can save lives."
