Iranian missiles have devastated entire neighborhoods. Over 10,600 people displaced. More than 40,000 homes and businesses damaged. Behind every number is a family facing economic freefall. Streets lie in ruins. Livelihoods hang by a thread.
Shops remain shuttered. Paychecks have vanished. Homes are uninhabitable. Once again, the most vulnerable are hit hardest – and local authorities are stretched thin, forced to respond not just to physical destruction, but to a deepening financial crisis.
In the face of national crisis, Ogen, Israel’s leading nonprofit social lender, has mobilized an emergency financial lifeline: Israel’s Financial First Responders. Backed by an initial NIS 100 million fund, the campaign delivers immediate support to the households and small businesses hit hardest by the war. With additional fundraising already underway, that amount is expected to double in the coming weeks.
The initiative offers both low-interest and interest-free loans to stabilize short-term finances and drive long-term recovery. Small businesses affected by missile strikes, many owned by reservists or located in devastated areas, can access flexible credit lines and favorable loan terms unavailable through traditional banks. In addition, Ogen provides expert financial mentoring to help these businesses rebuild and regain stability.
Ogen is also partnering with local governments, embedding trained support teams directly into the hardest-hit municipalities. In cities like Tamra and Haifa, where the pressure is most intense, these partnerships have empowered local authorities to deliver fast, coordinated, and dignified assistance, cutting through red tape to meet real needs on the ground.
Ogen has decades of experience providing support to Israelis in need. Since October 7, 2023, Ogen has distributed nearly NIS 500 million in emergency credit, helping thousands of families avoid collapse, enabling small businesses to reopen, and supporting nonprofits delivering essential services. Today’s campaign builds on that foundation, scaling up in real time to meet Israel’s evolving needs.
Israel’s financial recovery won’t happen overnight. But with early, focused, and compassionate intervention, the long-term damage can be contained. Ogen’s campaign isn’t just about weathering the storm, it’s about rebuilding stronger, creating the conditions for lasting stability and resilience.