1. Background
On October 1, 2024, NATAN established the Emergency Response and Community Resilience (ERCR) program in 13 Arab villages in Northern Israel. This pioneering initiative represents the first community-based emergency response program in these areas, integrating both physical and mental trauma treatment and prevention.
The program was developed in response to Hezbollah missile attacks that significantly impacted these communities. While existing emergency response systems, including Magen David Adom, serve these areas, the attacks exposed critical gaps in service delivery. Local leaders have embraced ERCR as a solution for these deficiencies through a collaborative partnership between NATAN and municipal authorities.
This report outlines the program’s progress during its first quarter of operation (October-December 2024). The program builds on NATAN’s extensive experience in disaster response, including its successful “Restore the Spirit” program implemented in Ofakim following the October 7, 2023 attacks. Although a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon was signed in November 2024, participating municipalities have indicated their desire to continue with the ERCR program to strengthen their preparedness for the next emergency.
While the original ERCR proposal envisioned working in five communities, NATAN’s fruitful collaboration with The Arab Mayors Committee and Injaz enabled it to expand the program to 13 villages. The Arab Mayors Committee established an Emergency Center in Nazareth, where a NATAN professional served as the Population Division Manager. The Emergency Center concluded its operations at the end of 2024.
NATAN successfully implemented ERCR in all 13 participating municipalities: Majd al-Krum, Tamra, Deir al-Asad, Bi’ina, Nahf, Shefa-‘Amr, Jadeidi-Makr, Umm al-Fahm, Basma Council, Iksal, Mashhad, Kafr Yasif, and Jisr al-Zarqa. These communities were selected based upon their proximity to the Lebanese border and their identified need for enhanced emergency response capabilities.
2. Services Provided
NATAN conducted a survey in many municipalities in the north to identify the urgent emergency needs.
NATAN also met with mayors and other municipal leaders to determine local needs and develop the appropriate response.
ERCR implements a dual-approach strategy that provides services directly to survivors while building local capacity through training programs. Four types of programs were offered:
• The Group Psychological Support program delivers essential mental health services through targeted initiatives. Group resilience workshops serve the general public, building mental resilience through practical coping strategies, stress management, and emotional regulation techniques. Specialized emotional support workshops for municipal staff and community volunteers enhance their ability to support others while maintaining their own emotional well-being. Early intervention training teaches participants to identify signs of psychological distress and make appropriate referrals to mental health services.
• Community-Building Events strengthen social bonds and community resilience by creating vital support networks. These events build connections between residents and foster a sense of collective strength that proves crucial during crisis situations. Through structured activities and shared experiences, participants develop lasting relationships that contribute to community-wide resilience.
• Medical Professional Emergency Training provides comprehensive preparation for medical professionals and community volunteers. Medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, and paramedics, receive intensive training in emergency triage, mass casualty response, and crisis management protocols. Our volunteer training program teaches community members to provide immediate emotional support during emergencies, creating a network of trained first responders within each community.
• Mental Resilience Training builds sustainable local capacity for crisis response, particularly through the implementation of the 6Cs model (Connect, Contain, Care, Cope, Communicate, and Coordinate) for immediate mental health response. We provide specialized training for welfare and psychological services staff in trauma-informed care and crisis intervention techniques.
3. Program Impact
Our activities reached participants in all 13 municipalities. The following table shows the distribution of activities:
ERCR’s first quarter yielded significant positive outcomes across multiple dimensions of community resilience and emergency preparedness. Participants in the psychological resilience programs report increased confidence in managing stress and anxiety, alongside the development of practical coping strategies for emergency situations. Many demonstrated an enhanced understanding of trauma response and recovery, applying these skills in their daily lives and communities.
Strengthening community bonds has emerged as a crucial program outcome. Our initiatives facilitated the creation of sustainable support networks within communities and improved collaboration between emergency services and community organizations. These fortified relationships extend beyond individual communities, fostering valuable connections between neighboring municipalities. ERCR training will help participating communities better prepare to respond to medical emergencies.
All activities were done in full collaboration with INJAZ. A detailed report of the activities is being prepared by the Emergency Center lead and will be published in February.
The program has achieved significant successes while addressing expected operational challenges. Our recruitment of a highly qualified project manager proved instrumental in establishing strong relationships with municipal authorities and ensuring effective program delivery. Community participation has been enthusiastic, reflecting a deep understanding of the program’s value and importance.
We encountered and effectively addressed several operational challenges during this initial period. Some communities, particularly smaller ones, face challenges with limited availability of skilled personnel, which we are addressing through targeted training and resource sharing. Cultural barriers to seeking mental health support exist in some communities, prompting us to develop culturally sensitive approaches to service delivery.
While the region is currently experiencing a ceasefire, local leaders remain committed to emergency preparedness, recognizing that readiness is essential regardless of the political climate.
NATAN’s approach has evolved from providing rapid response training during the missile attacks to implementing more comprehensive preparedness programs in select municipalities that have shown strong engagement. In partnership with JDC, NATAN is launching “Elmanara” (lighthouse), a program that serves two critical purposes: helping municipal workers and volunteers process their experiences from recent emergencies, and strengthening community preparedness for future crises, both natural and manmade. The program will be implemented in several municipalities including Tamra, Arabe, and Shafer-Amr, with potential expansion to additional locations.
4. Staff
NATAN appointed Fida Shechade as the full-time project manager. During the initial quarter, Shechade served as Population Division Manager at the Emergency Center in Nazareth, where she established vital partnerships with regional stakeholders. Her work included close collaboration with the Arab Mayors Committee and Injaz Association, direct coordination with municipalities, and management of training initiatives. She oversaw logistics with training providers and actively participated in numerous training sessions.
Shechade’s presence at the Center proved instrumental in building NATAN’s credibility among local Arab leaders while providing deeper insights into community capabilities and needs. Building on these established relationships, she will now focus on expanding ERCR program activities across the region.
