> Skip to content
FEATURED:
  • New Editor-in-Chief Named
Sign In
  • Latest
  • Advice
  • Opinion
  • Webinars
  • Online Events
  • Data
  • Grants
  • Magazine
  • Store
    • Featured Products
    • Data
    • Reports
    • Collections
    • Back Issues
    • Webinars
    • Featured Products
    • Data
    • Reports
    • Collections
    • Back Issues
    • Webinars
  • Jobs
    • Find a Job
    • Post a Job
    • Find a Job
    • Post a Job
Sign In
  • Latest
  • Advice
  • Opinion
  • Webinars
  • Online Events
  • Data
  • Grants
  • Magazine
  • Store
    • Featured Products
    • Data
    • Reports
    • Collections
    • Back Issues
    • Webinars
    • Featured Products
    • Data
    • Reports
    • Collections
    • Back Issues
    • Webinars
  • Jobs
    • Find a Job
    • Post a Job
    • Find a Job
    • Post a Job
  • Latest
  • Advice
  • Opinion
  • Webinars
  • Online Events
  • Data
  • Grants
  • Magazine
  • Store
    • Featured Products
    • Data
    • Reports
    • Collections
    • Back Issues
    • Webinars
    • Featured Products
    • Data
    • Reports
    • Collections
    • Back Issues
    • Webinars
  • Jobs
    • Find a Job
    • Post a Job
    • Find a Job
    • Post a Job
Sign In
ADVERTISEMENT
IsraAID volunteers help earthquake victims in Iskenderun, Turkey on February 16, 2023. CREDIT: Ben Kelmer

Nonprofit Stays for the Long Haul After Disasters

Ben Kelmer
The Face of Philanthropy
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Show more sharing options
Share
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Copy Link URLCopied!
  • Print
By  Emily Haynes
May 2, 2023

On the heels of every disaster, there’s what Yotam Polizer calls an “aid festival,” a bonanza of charity that sticks around about as long as the international media — which is to say, not long. Polizer works in the thick of this aid festival, arriving on the ground hours after disaster strikes to provide survivors with basic needs like bottled water and blankets.

But for IsraAID, the humanitarian organization Polizer leads, this relief work is just the first step. IsraAID is a nongovernmental organization headquartered in Tel Aviv and not affiliated with any religious group. The nonprofit stays in disaster areas long after the news cameras leave, working with community leaders and local organizations to help people recover and build resilience. In February, for example, IsraAID team members, shown here distributing supplies, landed in Turkey hours after the first earthquake struck, and they’re still there today.

We're sorry. Something went wrong.

We are unable to fully display the content of this page.

The most likely cause of this is a content blocker on your computer or network.

Please allow access to our site, and then refresh this page. You may then be asked to log in, create an account if you don't already have one, or subscribe.

If you continue to experience issues, please contact us at 202-466-1032 or help@chronicle.com

On the heels of every disaster, there’s what Yotam Polizer calls an “aid festival,” a bonanza of charity that sticks around about as long as the international media — which is to say, not long. Polizer works in the thick of this aid festival, arriving on the ground hours after disaster strikes to provide survivors with basic needs like bottled water and blankets.

But for IsraAID, the humanitarian organization Polizer leads, this relief work is just the first step. IsraAID is a nongovernmental organization headquartered in Tel Aviv and not affiliated with any religious group. The nonprofit stays in disaster areas long after the news cameras leave, working with community leaders and local organizations to help people recover and build resilience. In February, for example, IsraAID team members, shown here distributing supplies, landed in Turkey hours after the first earthquake struck, and they’re still there today.

“Because of climate change and because of manmade disaster, many of these vulnerable communities are likely to suffer from future disasters,” Polizer says. “The best thing that we can do for them is help them prepare.”

To build resilience, IsraAID focuses on two essential strategies: strengthening infrastructure and bolstering mental health. It provides communities with off-grid water-purification systems and runs art- and play-therapy programs, as well as other treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder. “We believe that people’s well-being is as crucial as food and water,” Polizer says.

This year, Polizer won the Charles Bronfman Prize, a $100,000 award for Jewish humanitarians under age 50. Judges lauded Polizer’s work for living out the Jewish value of tikkun olam, Hebrew for “repair the world.”

ADVERTISEMENT

IsraAID team members distributing hygiene supplies in Hatay province, Turkey, in March, 2023.
Ben Kelmer, IsraAID
IsraAID team members distribute hygiene supplies in Turkey.

IsraAID’s operations are indeed global. Today, it’s on the ground in 16 countries and has responded to disasters in 62 countries total since its founding in 2001.

“Our goal is not to be there forever,” Polizer says. “The goal is to provide these resilience programs, and once the community is resilient and they have the capacity to support themselves, we’re phasing out.”

A version of this article appeared in the May 2, 2023, issue.
We welcome your thoughts and questions about this article. Please email the editors or submit a letter for publication.
Executive Leadership
Emily Haynes
Emily Haynes is a senior reporter at the Chronicle of Philanthropy, where she covers nonprofit fundraising.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
  • Explore
    • Latest Articles
    • Get Newsletters
    • Advice
    • Webinars
    • Data & Research
    • Magazine
    • Chronicle Store
    • Find a Job
    Explore
    • Latest Articles
    • Get Newsletters
    • Advice
    • Webinars
    • Data & Research
    • Magazine
    • Chronicle Store
    • Find a Job
  • The Chronicle
    • About Us
    • Work at the Chronicle
    • User Agreement
    • Privacy Policy
    • California Privacy Policy
    • Gift-Acceptance Policy
    • Site Map
    • DEI Commitment Statement
    • Chronicle Fellowships
    The Chronicle
    • About Us
    • Work at the Chronicle
    • User Agreement
    • Privacy Policy
    • California Privacy Policy
    • Gift-Acceptance Policy
    • Site Map
    • DEI Commitment Statement
    • Chronicle Fellowships
  • Customer Assistance
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise With Us
    • Post a Job
    • Reprints & Permissions
    • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
    • Advertising Terms and Conditions
    Customer Assistance
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise With Us
    • Post a Job
    • Reprints & Permissions
    • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
    • Advertising Terms and Conditions
  • Subscribe
    • Individual Subscriptions
    • Organizational Subscriptions
    • Subscription & Account FAQ
    • Manage Newsletters
    • Manage Your Account
    Subscribe
    • Individual Subscriptions
    • Organizational Subscriptions
    • Subscription & Account FAQ
    • Manage Newsletters
    • Manage Your Account
1255 23rd Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037
© 2023 The Chronicle of Philanthropy
  • twitter
  • youtube
  • pinterest
  • facebook
  • linkedin