Israel’s Short-Term Rental Association
Emergency Assistance for Evacuees During the War
During the war, ISTRA worked tirelessly to support evacuees forced to leave their homes due to the security situation. Our efforts focused on providing immediate solutions for basic needs, emotional and psychological support, and creating a safe and supportive environment for affected families and individuals.
Here is a summary of the actions we took:
What We Did During the War
Reception Centers for Evacuees
We established temporary reception centers across the country, providing a safe and supportive environment for evacuees. These centers were designed to meet their basic needs, including:
- Temporary Housing – Fully equipped and spacious rooms for families and individuals.
- Hot Meals – Organized kitchens serving three meals a day.
- Essential Supplies – Distribution of blankets, clothing, hygiene products, and other necessities.
- Activities for Children and Adults – Workshops, games, and social activities to relieve stress and restore a sense of normalcy.
Emotional and Psychological Support
The difficult security situation left many evacuees with emotional and psychological trauma. To support them, we initiated the following:
- Professional Support Teams – Psychologists, social workers, and emotional therapists provided both individual and group counseling.
- Emergency Hotlines – 24/7 telephone support lines offering immediate assistance for emotional distress.
- Coping Workshops – Stress-relief workshops, relaxation techniques, and tools to help manage anxiety and trauma.
Food and Essential Supply Distribution
As part of our efforts to ease the burden on evacuees, we organized large-scale distribution of food and essential supplies:
- Food Packages – Organized distribution of staple food items such as flour, rice, oil, legumes, and hygiene products.
- Basic Supplies – Distribution of blankets, pillows, bedding, and hygiene essentials.
- Community Donations – We mobilized donations from individuals and businesses to ensure evacuees had everything they needed.
Social Activities and Community Support
To relieve stress and strengthen the sense of belonging, we organized a variety of social and community activities:
- Community Events – Cultural evenings, performances, and shows to create a positive and uplifting atmosphere.
- Creative Workshops – Art, sculpture, and crafts workshops for both children and adults.
- Sports Activities – Sports days and physical activities for children and families.
Volunteer and Donation Efforts
Our success was made possible by the incredible support of the community. Thousands of volunteers stepped up to assist in our daily operations, including:
- On-Site Volunteers – Helping with food distribution, organizing reception centers, and providing direct support to evacuees.
- Financial and Material Donations – Generous contributions from individuals, businesses, and organizations that enabled us to continue our mission.
Gratitude
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the volunteers, donors, and partners who took part in this tremendous effort. It is only through collaboration and a shared willingness to help that we were able to bring hope and relief to hundreds of families during their most challenging moments.