First mission: Itzik Aharoni (HQ), Dr Iman Muallem, Dr May Elasi, Yossi Mizrahi, Dr Eitan Shahar, Dr Sharon Shaul- Gal Yoffe (not on the picture) is waiting for them in Serbia
The Syrian conflict has resulted in one of the most severe humanitarian crises of our era, with over 5.6 million refugees and more than 6 million internally displaced persons (IDPs). In response, NATAN International Humanitarian Aid has launched vital operations to support these vulnerable populations both within Syria and along the transit routes in Europe.
Restoring Health and Dignity Within Syria
In a collaborative effort with the American non-profit Friend Ships, NATAN provides primary medical and dental care to IDPs at a dedicated medical field clinic. Beyond medical treatment, the clinic serves as a source of basic necessities, distributing food and clothing to civilians who have lost everything. To ensure professional, in-person care, NATAN recruits volunteer doctors from across the globe to serve at the facility.
Innovation plays a key role in this mission through a telemedicine service. This technology allows doctors in Israel to perform remote primary care consultations via video calls using advanced software and equipment. This service provides essential extra support to the ground personnel, significantly enhancing the level of care available to Syrian patients.
The Frozen Front Line: Presevo, Serbia
As refugees from Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan journey toward safety in Europe, many face extreme hardships while transiting through the Balkan route. NATAN established a relief operation in South Serbia, near the Macedonian border, to provide medical and psycho-social assistance at a critical midway point.
The operation centers on a 24/7 medical clinic housed in a converted shipping container at the Presevo “One Stop Center”. This clinic is a critical intervention point where refugees, exhausted and often suffering from hypothermia or pneumonia due to temperatures as low as -20°C, can receive immediate care. In its first two months of activity alone, the clinic treated 2,700 patients.
Complementing the medical clinic is the InfoPark project, run in partnership with local organisations like Fond B92 and Youth for Refugee. The InfoPark provides a rare opportunity for refugees to receive vital information about their journey from people who truly listen to their needs and help remedy their disorientation.
A Unique and Diverse Mission
What sets the Serbian operation apart is its holistic integration of primary medical care with psycho-social support. The team, which includes both Israeli Jewish and Arab professionals, works to provide a “warm contact” that helps families manage the immense stress of their journey. Social workers, many of whom are Arab speakers, assist with paperwork and offer a sense of security and stability to those who have felt abandoned on their long path.
NATAN remains committed to this mission, adapting to the unpredictable flow of people and the harsh conditions to ensure that no neighbor suffers alone.
