The United Nation’s World Health Organization has recognized the Israeli army’s emergency medical response team as the world’s most capable, the IDF announces today.
The IDF unit, which is regularly sent abroad to provide aid at natural disaster sites, is the first unit in the world to receive a “Type 3 plus” designation, under a set of criteria recently created by the WHO to classify foreign medical teams in sudden onset disasters.
Israel is the first team to receive the top score.
An Israeli army medic team carry Krishna Khadka, who was pulled out alive from a collapsed building, to a more thorough medical check at the Israeli field hospital in Kathmandu on May 1 2015. (photo credit: AFP/MENAHEM KAHANA)
The IDF’s field hospital team, led by Lt. Col. (res.) Dr. Ofer Merin, officially received the designation last week, though the army kept the information quiet until now.
“It’s a proud moment for all the Jews around the world and for people from Israel and for people from the IDF Medical Corps. It’s great moment for all of us,” says Merin.
This Type 3 classification ensures that Israeli teams will continue to be the first allowed on the scene and further cements Israel’s position as a world leader in emergency response.
— Judah Ari Gross
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