Delegates from the IDF’s Home Front Command assisted local Hondurans after the hurricane that hit back in November; Vach: The members of the delegation are reservists, experts in their fields with experience from similar situations that they have dealt with around the world in recent years.
Northwestern Honduras was struck by Hurricane Iota back in mid-November, which reached winds of up to 160mph. Following the devastating aftereffects of the storm, Honduran officials reached out to the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) Home Front Command for assistance. The Israeli Foreign Ministry responded in the affirmative, sending a delegation to assist on-site.
The Home Front Command’s mission is straight forward:
“The unit’s purpose is simple: to save lives. It operates search-and-rescue missions in Israel and around the world, aiding in rescue and recovery from incidents such as terror attacks, floods, conflagrations, etc.”
The delegation from Israel is reported to have utilized equipment that is unique to Israel and developed in recent years. And in preparation for arrival, they identified the areas that were dealt the most damage and focused their efforts accordingly. Furthermore, the IDF collaborated with local officials.
As reported by Israel Defense, Commanding Officer of the National Rescue Unit Col. (res.) Golan Vach stated, “The members of the delegation are reservists, experts in their fields with experience from similar situations that they have dealt with around the world in recent years. Therefore, they perform their activities while equipped with technological gear in order to give their best response in their aid mission. The State of Israel and the Home Front Command will continue to lend a hand to any country that needs our help anywhere in the world.”
The IDF’s Home Front Command has helped other countries in recent time, including Brazil following the collapse of a dam that left many missing. The IDF has also offered help to countries who ultimately rejected them, such as Lebanon, following the unprecedented explosion in Beirut back in August, and Turkey, after significant earthquakes took place several weeks ago.
