Ivory Coast Receives Disaster Aid From Israel
Ryan R. Jones - All Headline News Middle East Correspondent Jerusalem (AHN) - Israel Wednesday dispatched humanitarian aid to Ivory Coast after chemical toxins dumped in the waters off its capital city of Abidjan resulted in the hospitalization of tens of thousands. "The aid shipment comprises primarily antibiotics and medical equipment for treating poisoning victims," read a statement by Israel's Foreign Ministry. "This assistance is an expression of the traditionally close and friendly relations between Israel and Ivory Coast." The West Africa nation has arrested and charged two foreign businessmen after a ship chartered by the Dutch company they represent dumped what has been described as pure petrochemical waste into Abidjan's port. In the weeks following, seven people died from exposure to the toxins, and more than 50,000 people sought hospital treatment. The episode overwhelmed Ivory Coast's threadbare health system, prompting calls for international aid. Israel contribution will be formally presented by the charge d'affaires of the Israeli Embassy in Abidjan, Ravit Bar, at a ceremony at Ivory Coast's Health Ministry next week. Israel has consistently offered and provided humanitarian aid and rescue assistance to African nations in crisis over the past decades. Most recently, a rescue team from Israel's Home Front Command was sent to Nairobi, Kenya to help extract people buried under a collapsed buil |
