Around the World
A Long-Awaited Welcome
SEPA proudly welcomes the membership of Magen David Adom (MDA) and the Palestine Red Crescent Society to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. After a much-anticipated vote - 58 years in the making – these two national societies were admitted as full voting members on June 22, 2006. Their inclusion is a significant step towards universality - one of the seven fundamental principles of the movement.
On Sunday, June 25th, SEPA hosted a celebratory brunch at the University of Pennsylvania’s Hillel sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s Center for Israel and Overseas. Guests, including Gershon Trimpol and David L. Cohen, viewed a live satellite feed from Israel where Bonnie McElveen-Hunter and Dr. Noan Yifrach shared a heartfelt welcome.
Red Cross Comes to the Aid of More Than 4,100 Evacuees
More than 4,100 evacuees were greeted with a warm welcome as they arrived at the Philadelphia International Airport from Lebanon. With 48 hours notice, SEPA, working with our city, state, airport and federal partners, transformed Terminal A West into a full-service reception center.
As each person arrived, the Red Cross was there with water, a stuffed animal (for the children), and a smile. “Seeing the American Red Cross at the airport, I knew they were there to help. That was awesome”, said Mazen Haffar, Lebanese evacuee turned Red Cross volunteer translator. Helping them with their bags, a Red Cross volunteer escorted each family to the reception area, where they found food, travel assistance, emotional support, airline connections, first aid, shelter, hildcare, emergency communications and other necessary relief. For nine days, 249 volunteers worked 1,054 twelve-hour shifts serving 5,465 meals, 16,959 snacks and 2,275 comfort kits.
In addition, the American Red Cross is providing assistance in the Middle East by responding to appeals for support issued by the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The first appeal for assistance came from Lebanon.
