Haiti mission winds down

Israeli team expected to return to Israel within days after performing more than 200 surgeries

Hanan Greenberg|Published: 01.23.10 , 21:52

The IDF's rescue and medical care team in Haiti is expected to complete its work in the disaster zone within days.

IDF Home Front Command Chief, Major General Yair Golan, said Saturday that the army is preparing to end the mission, after more hospitals have been opened up in Haiti following the establishment of Israel's field hospital in the quake-ravaged country.

Rescuing quake survivor (Photo: Noam Barkan)

Officials will discuss the situation via video conference Sunday and decide on the team's return date.

"We can sum up by saying that we had three missions: Saving lives, providing medical services, and representing the State of Israel honorably," Golan said. "I think we met all three missions admirably. Indeed, the assistance was a drop in the bucket in the face of the immense human suffering in Haiti, yet nonetheless, we are glad that we could have offered some help, considering the difficult conditions over there."

The field hospital established by the IDF in Haiti treated more than 750 patients thus far and performed about 200 surgeries. Meanwhile, Home Front Command forces rescued two survivors and assisted in other successful rescue operations involving different nations.

Major General Golan said that Israeli officials realized early on that the chances of rescuing survivors were not high, thereby focusing their efforts on providing medical care.

"It turned out to be the right thing at the right place in the right time," Golan said. "We saw exceptional performance by all the doctors, nurses, and medical staff."

The senior commander added that officials will hold discussions following the team's return to Israel in order to draw lessons for the future.

Earlier Saturday, the Israel Police's forensic team returned to Israel after assisting Haitian authorities in rescue missions and identification of quake casualties. Among others, the Israeli team identified seven Dutch nationals killed in the quake.