Israeli humanitarian aid nonprofits SmartAID and IsraAID have teams across the world distributing personal protective equipment (PPE) and other supplies to healthcare workers, law enforcers, firefighters and others during the coronavirus crisis.

SmartAID partnered with Third Wave Volunteers and DHL to deliver PPE to hospitals in New York, Miami, Los Angeles, New Jersey and other cities across the US East Coast, said Founding Director Shachar Zahavi.

SmartAID also worked with local partners to supply PPE to health centers in Puerto Rico and Haiti and to five hospitals in Sydney, Australia.

Hospital workers thank SmartAID for bringing PPE. Photo: courtesy

In coordination with charitable organizations, equipment will be shipped by DHL from Australia to the Dohuk region in northern Iraq to aid thousands of Yazidi, Kurdish and Syrian refugees.

“In addition to continuing our PPE distribution and e-health training at hospitals, we are developing an open source platform to improve and make Covid-19 aid shipments more transparent across the United States, Eastern Africa, Australia, Europe and Asia,” said Zahavi.

IsraAID Guatemala delivered Covid-19 hygiene items to a health clinic for a community damaged by the 2018 volcano eruption. Photo: courtesy

Meanwhile, IsraAID Guatemala has been delivering soap, hand sanitizer, bleach and disinfectant to the free health clinic in La Dignidad, Escuintla, a community that was devastated by the 2018 Fuego volcano eruption.

IsraAID Vanuatu, in partnership with Shefa Health and the local Ministry of Health, is conducting Covid-19 awareness and education sessions for hundreds of island residents.

The team shared instructions for handwashing and demonstrated how to build a Tippy Tap, a hands-free device for handwashing specially designed for rural areas without running water. IsraAID volunteers also are helping Vanuatu rebuild after Tropical Cyclone Harold caused widespread damage in April.

IsraAID Vanuatu staffers teach islanders about how to protect themselves from Covid-19. Photo: courtesy

In partnership with education officials in Sofala province, IsraAID Mozambique distributed 2,740 family resilience kits including soap, crayons, coloring books with information about coronavirus, handwashing posters, and an information pack for childcare workers.

IsraAID staffers in Germany are helping refugees sew masks for the needy; and in the Bahamas the organization is giving tablets to children to facilitate remote learning.

In Los Angeles, IsraAID is distributing packages at the L.A. Food Bank together with Team Rubicon. IsraAID USA is offering free online stress and anxiety workshops. Click here for more information.