Israel-based humanitarian aid and disaster relief organization SmartAID has dispatched teams to help fight devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, California.
The wildfires that stretch from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena have already forced tens of thousands of residents to flee their homes. At least 24 people have so far been confirmed as dead due to the fires.
SmartAID said that over the past few days its team has been working with local partners and first responders, including fire departments and grassroots charities, to assist the evacuees and help extinguish the spreading flames.
Additionally, the team has been helping with provision of electricity, clean water, Internet and coordination and distribution of goods, ensuring the resources reach evacuees who need them most.
The NGO said it was reaching out to its sponsors to expand its solar-telecommunication trailer fleet specifically for Los Angeles and greater California. SmartAID specializes in delivering innovative technology to the field.
The organization said the trailers are crucial for supporting local partners and communities during the initial response phase until the government can restore basic infrastructure and allow residents to return to assess their homes.
Since last week, SmartAID has distributed 150 medium and small portable battery units to LA County. The units are currently being distributed to medical charities and individuals relying on refrigeration for insulin and food, CPAP machines, oxygen concentrators, and other medical devices.
Shachar Zahavi, founder of SmartAID, said the bond between Israel and the United States is “further empowered and strengthened by our shared commitment to global humanitarian aid and technological innovation.”
“Learning in the first days about how the wildfires have affected so many of our friends, colleagues, families, and communities who were in dire need, we knew we had to be there to help,” he added.
“With an abundance of innovators, entrepreneurs, and tech professionals in both nations, technology plays a crucial role in enhancing our collaborative efforts and ensuring that we are better equipped to face any challenge together, especially in times of disasters.”
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