2. Stage Two - Activity in Sderot, Eshkol Regional Council, Ofakim, and with Kiryat Shmona (at the Tiberias Evacuation Hub) Stage Two began upon the residents’ return to Sderot and the Eshkol Regional Council. The main challenges identified upon commencement of this stage at Sderot and the Eshkol Regional Council are:
Spotlight on Partnership with the Host Local Authorities at the Evacuation Hubs
Evacuation of residents from their homes led to the absorption of over 35,000 residents in Eilat, over 12,000 at the Dead Sea area (Tamar Regional Council), and over 10,000 residents from the North in Tiberias. Each host authority took in residents from different types of communities (kibbutz, moshav, cities), which had different experiences and needs. Work by the evacuees’ home local authorities was decentralized, spreading also over a large area. These authorities made great efforts to provide services and support to their residents. Within the Yeladenu Operation, we built trust and created partnerships with the host authorities in Eilat, Hevel Eilot Regional Council, the Tamar Regional Council and Tiberias, all in order to strengthen the resilience of children and youth. The partnership was reflected starting with the host authority’s consent to build the facilities, to operational support during construction, all the way up to sharing information and collaborative work on existing and new resilience- strengthening programs. All this was accomplished during a state of war and under conditions of prolonged uncertainty. There was full coordination and synchrony with the host authorities during all months of the Operation, reflecting a common mission to support the evacuees.
Managing local authority procedures in a reality of decentralization, loss of faith and a severe blow to community and infrastructures
Differences between authorities in terms of numbers of residents returning to the area and local authority services
Returning to the area meant different resilience-related needs among children and youth
Parents, teaching and treatment staff had numerous resilience-related needs
At Ofakim and Kiryat Shmona:
Ofakim Numerous resilience-related needs in the Mishor Hagefen neighborhood
“You came to us, and to the evacuee children and youth, like angels. I would like to thank you for the children’s activities and for providing therapy for emotional resilience. It was all wonderful and we must thank you for that. The truth is, I would be happy for you to start working regularly with our youth and children here in Tiberias – as a host city and a city in the periphery, we need it too. Thank you!”
Kiryat Shmona Resilience-related needs among children and youth at evacuation hub in Tiberias
Yossi Nava, Mayor of Tiberias
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