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Israel Relief

Mobile Clinics for Evacuees

Following the terror attacks on 7 October 2023, thousands of residents from the Gaza envelope were displaced to hotels across Israel, lacking immediate access to their regular medical services. 

Within 48 hours, NATAN established three primary care clinics in Shefayim, the Dead Sea, and Eilat, alongside two mobile dental units. These clinics operated seven days a week with a “zero bureaucracy” policy, serving as a bridge until permanent medical services could be restored. 

  • Over 3,000 patients were treated by 260 professional volunteers, including 86 doctors and 74 dentists.
  • The mobile dental clinics provided essential emergency care to 1,528 patients in areas with no prior dental infrastructure.

Respite Camps for Children

Displaced children from Sderot, Sha’ar HaNegev, and Ofakim faced prolonged stays in hotels with no routine and high levels of trauma. 

In partnership with Camp Ramah and the Goodman Foundation, NATAN launched respite camps (3–5 days) providing informal education and therapeutic support. NATAN experts guided camp counselors on how to create a containing, therapeutic environment for traumatised youth. 

  • Provided a sense of “normalcy” and emotional relief for hundreds of children from the south.
  • Over 360 children from Ofakim and Sha’ar HaNegev participated in the initial phase.

Project "Warm Home"

Russian and Ukrainian-speaking evacuees (primarily aged 55–85) faced a “double trauma” of war and language barriers, making it difficult to access standard support services. 

NATAN deployed Russian-speaking trauma experts to provide psychosocial support, focusing on stabilising emotional states and assisting with the navigation of social rights. 

  • Participants reported reduced anxiety and improved sleep, with many regaining the confidence to return to community activities.
  • Successfully connected isolated elderly residents to relevant professional agencies for long-term care.

Project COLLAB

 Lessons from October 7 showed that isolated communities often wait hours or days for official rescue forces, making local preparedness a life-saving necessity. 

NATAN launched a pilot for community-based health teams that integrate medical, welfare, and security response. 

  • Established a pilot in three diverse locations: a Christian village on the Lebanese border, an unrecognized Bedouin settlement, and a Jewish local council.
  • Trained local volunteers as “Institutional Health Trustees” to serve as immediate responders during emergencies.

Telemedicine for Northern Border Communities

Residents remaining in the conflict zones of the Upper Galilee faced extreme difficulty accessing medical specialists due to the security situation and the closure of local clinics. 

NATAN, in partnership with the Galilee Panhandle Regional Council, established a telemedicine project. Patients visited a mobile clinic in their kibbutz, where they were assisted by on-site medical staff while receiving remote consultations from specialist volunteers. 

  • Provided free, accessible specialist care in fields such as dermatology, cardiology, and geriatric medicine for those living under fire.

Mental Health First Aid – MA’ASEH Model

The ongoing state of war and national trauma created a widespread need for tools to handle acute psychological distress in real-time. 

NATAN partnered with the International Center for Functional Resilience (ICFR) to deliver workshops on the MA’ASEH Model, the national standard for mental health first aid. 

  • 25 senior NATAN volunteers (psychologists and social workers) were trained to lead these workshops nationwide.
  • Training has been provided to municipalities, schools, and social organisations, empowering ordinary citizens to become sources of community resilience.

Project "Mashiv HaRuach" – Ofakim

Following the heavy toll taken on the city during the October 7 attacks, Ofakim required long-term, deep-rooted community rehabilitation. 

NATAN established a comprehensive resilience framework including the “HaBayit BaMishor” community centre, a mobile coffee cart for seniors, and a digital information system for residents. 

  • 480 residents received assistance through the Mobile Rights and Information Bureau.
  • The “Heroism Race,” involving 2,000 participants, served as a major urban event for memory and communal pride.
  • Senior volunteers (age 60+) from professional backgrounds (Hitech, medicine, education) were integrated into city departments to lead urban development projects.

Project "HaMakom" – Dharamsala, India

Thousands of young Israelis travelling in India found themselves struggling with post-trauma related to the war, far from their traditional support networks in Israel.

NATAN partnered with the HaMakom Association to establish a resilience space in Dharamsala, providing professional psychological support, “Chai talks,” and wellness activities. 

  • The space recorded 5,200 visits, facilitating over 300 significant therapeutic conversations.
  • Created a supportive community for backpackers, helping them process their experiences through art, yoga, and group discussions.