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Sderot welfare office
Photo: Ze'ev Trachtman

Sderot residents to receive welfare based on security situation

After enduring almost a decade of nonstop rockets, explosions, alarms; Sderot, Gaza vicinity communities’ residents to receive monetary assistance in light of security-related difficulties

Inhabitants of Sderot and Gaza vicinity communities have endured eight years of Qassam rocket showers, explosions and alarms.

 

A decision was finally made to recognize that people there are receiving welfare as a result of, “difficulties due to a temporary security situation,” and not in light of, “failure to function” or because they “suffer from domestic difficulties,” as was the case until now.

 

A person recognized as eligible for social services, can in accordance with the assessment, also receive psychological services, economic assistance and additional help.

 

The Ministry of Social Affairs noted that those being treated see this change in terminology as an important step and not just an official issue.

 

Many applicants in the various welfare offices asked to write that the main reason why they turned to welfare is security-related distress. Since, “in small settlements, everyone knows everything about everyone.” The initiator of this step is Social Affairs Ministry Director General Nahum Itzkovich.

 

The security situation in the Gaza vicinity communities and Sderot causes, amongst other things, personal, emotional and familial distress.

 

As of July 2008, 7,700 residents are being treated at the various Sderot welfare offices; one-third of the city’s inhabitants.

 

In the Gaza vicinity communities, (Sdot Negev, Sha'ar Hanegev, Eshkol and Hof Ashkelon, including 500 families evacuated from Gush Katif), 10,000 civilians are treated in welfare offices.

 

According to statistics, during the period of escalation 20% of the population living in the hit areas are exposed to post-trauma.

 

The Ministry of Social Welfare tries to work quickly in order to provide fast treatment to civilians prior to their arrival at the welfare authorities.

 

In emergency situations brought upon by fallen missiles, social workers are in contact with citizens in harms way and a follow-up is conducted to fill their needs.

 

The new criteria that was created especially in light of the Gaza vicinity communities civilians’ distress, will allow the ministry to assess the changes occurring amongst the region’s population in relation to the real reasons why they ask for assistance.

 

In this way, an educated and exact assessment of their needs will be possible.

 

Social Affairs Minister Isaac Herzog said, “We take diverse measures throughout the entire year to strengthen the social fabric in the Gaza vicinity communities and Sderot and there is significance in doing so especially during a period of quiet and ceasefire.”

 

Itzkovich said that “the deterioration in the security situation in the Gaza vicinity communities and Sderot has turned the welfare authorities into an address for many residents who were not treated in the past.

 

“Employees in the welfare offices are dealing in a professional and successful way with the growing number of applicants and with the difficult daily reality.

 

“The new criterion is an additional step in our attempt to strengthen and improve the essential and important treatment given to the residents,” he said.

 


פרסום ראשון: 08.12.08, 20:17
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