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by Mark Schulman
07/07/2002
The Jerusalem Post
CANBERRA - Responding to an urgent call for aid from Micronesia following a tropical storm that wreaked havoc there last week, Israel is preparing to send the island nation a shipment of medical supplies and other much needed provisions.
With winds of up to 104 kph and ocean swells of over 4.5 meters, tropical storm Chata caused wide-scale destruction on the island state of Chuuk. Close to 40 people have been reported killed as a result of mudslides, with thousands left homeless. The death toll is expected to rise as officials await reports from the outer islands.
Located in the Pacific Ocean, 607 tiny islands and atolls constitute the four states of the Federated States of Micronesia - Chuuk, Kosrae, Yap, and Pohnpei.
"We need food, we need clothing and farm materials and things like that," a Micronesian Disaster Control officer said from the island's capital Weno. "We will accept anything that comes our way."
In a letter sent to the Israeli Embassy in Australia, the Micronesian Department of Health Services has requested emergency aid in the form of medicines, operating room supplies, and other hospital materials."We will do our best to respond to the request," said Noa Furman, the Embassy's political officer.
"Once we coordinate with the Foreign Ministry, we hope to get supplies to the people of Chuuk as soon as possible."
Through the Foreign Ministry's Center for International Cooperation (MASHAV), Israel has focused much attention on strengthening its bilateral relations in the Pacific region.
Less than six months ago the ministry sent an Israeli doctor to assist local staff at the Chuuk State Hospital for several months on routine medical procedures and public health issues.
In January 2001, two Israeli eye doctors were also sent to Micronesia to open walk-in clinics for hundreds of islanders suffering from eye disease.
During that visit, Israel donated a laser unit for glaucoma therapy and retinal disorders, as well as pharmaceuticals.
Since establishing relations with Micronesia in 1987, the country has been one of Israel's most reliable supporters at the United Nations.
(Copyright 2002 The Jerusalem Post)