Israeli Medical Team Heads for Japan (Israel was one of the first countries to send a medical team to the disaster area)

Aftermath of Japan tsunami and earthquake

Israel news photo: US Navy

by Chana Ya'ar

Israeli doctors are headed to Japan in response to an official request by Tokyo for aid from Jerusalem, with a first responder team of two doctors and one officer from Israel's Home Front Command having departed from Ben Gurion International Airport Saturday night.

The delegation will do a needs assessment on site in advance of a second team slated to arrive later, with medical equipment, more doctors and other medical professionals. The Foreign and Defense Ministries also are set to ship blankets, coats, gloves and porta-pots to the city of Kurihara. Survivors of the disasters have been streaming in to the city, having been transferred from nearby Sendai, where most of the worst damage is centered.

The Japanese ambassador was among those present at the airport to wish the team well on their trip and to express his country's gratitude for the aid. He noted that Israel was one of the first countries to send a medical team to the disaster area.

Read the rest of the article on: Arutz7