A Message from the CEO

As the year 2022 comes to an end, the world is witnessing a reality in which an international epidemic continues to claim human lives and drastic weather changes lead to catastrophes. Around the world, violence is rising in the name of religion, nationality or historical justice, leading to bloody wars even in the heart of Europe in the middle of the 21st century.

The year 2022 testified to a reality in which the consequences of catastrophes (natural or human-made), are not only the immediate need to save lives and respond to emergencies but the need to provide long-term answers to acute, urgent, ongoing and complex challenges that encompass many fields and communities around the world. This dire global reality calls for everyone in the world to stand up and take responsibility. Environmental and social moral responsibility requires each and every one of us to do something for the sake of all humanity.

NATAN concludes the year 2022 with significant and impressive action in response to emergency events, in the development of community restoration projects, in the recruitment of hundreds of new volunteers–professionals in the fields of psychosocial therapy and medicine, in establishing relationships with international organizations, in the impressive work of a leading and dedicated Board, and in strategic organizational development. This is how NATAN is preparing itself for a professional work plan for the coming years that will manifest its commitment to action and to the changing global needs in the field of emergency and rehabilitation in order to continue to take a significant part in making this world a better place.

Ukraine Emergency

The escalation of conflict in Ukraine has caused civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian infrastructure, forcing people to flee their homes seeking safety, protection, and assistance. Millions of refugees from Ukraine have crossed borders into neighboring countries, and many more have been forced to move inside the country. They are in urgent need of protection and support.

Crisis in Numbers:

More than 7.8 million individual refugees from Ukraine

Over 15.5 million border crossings from Ukraine

More than 6.5 million people estimated to be internally displaced in Ukraine

Last update Nov 2022 source- UNHCR

NATAN's Relief Operation

NATAN has been providing physical and psychological support to Ukrainian refugees in Poland since the war's early days to protect and assist people forced to flee.

Location: Tesco- Refugee Humanitarian Aid Center, Pzemysl, Poland (On the border of west Ukraine)

Mission: operating the medical clinic in the "Tesco" Transit Center and providing psychosocial/trauma care

Duration: March to August 2022

Delegations: 15

Volunteers: 146 professionals: 54 social workers, 41 doctors, 35 nurses, and 16 logistics experts from Israel and abroad.

Target population/patients: More than 30.000 refugees received direct care, while many others benefited from our attention.

Status: completed

In August Natan conducted two projects simultaneously for professionals and volunteers at the frontline of the war in Ukraine and their children.

Location: Ciesanow (Poland) collaborates with the Yaworiw (Ukraine) Regional Council and Follkowisko – a local Polish partner. The participants crossed the border to Poland, where they resided during the training.

Mission: NATAN provided intensive training in trauma care and community resilience.

Duration: Each cohort participated in a 4-day program, followed two weeks later by a 3-day program

Delegations: 3

Volunteers: 8 professional social workers experts in the Israeli Trauma & Resilience model.

Target population: 60 Ukrainian IDP caregivers

Status: planning the 3rd phase

Mission: Summer Camp for Ukrainian and Polish children improving the children's wellbeing and reducing stress

Delegations: 3 delegations of young counselors from Hashomer Hatsair and Machanot Ha'Olim Israeli youth movements.

Volunteers: 6 Israelis + 7 Ukrainians and polish.

Target population: 58 young kids and youth (6-15 years old)

Status: completed

The feedback and impact of this training were so great and meaningful that The office of the Ukrainian First Lady and the JDC have encouraged NATAN to formulate a proposal to develop a National Resilience system, adapting the Israeli model to local conditions and culture. See next.

Future Plan – Long-term Rehabilitation Program

Mrs. Olena Zelenska, Ukraine's First Lady, leads the national effort to address mental care needs. NATAN has been elected as one of several expert organizations to develop a model of resilience centers and medical services.

Locations: Yavoriv, Lutsk, Khmelnytskyi, and Bila Tserkva

Mission: The Resilience Centers in various locations throughout Ukraine will coordinate assistance activities for the population in situations of crisis, emergency, and disaster. The primary purpose of the Resilience Centers is to enable the provision of support, treatment, and assistance to the population exposed to war traumatic events, with the overarching goal of building national resilience while strengthening personal, family, and community resources for optimal independent functioning and promoting cohesion and social solidarity in the community.

Pilot duration: 6 months

Volunteers: NATAN experts and trained social workers with an experience in the field of Trauma and Resilience in Israel

Target population: The Center is based on coordinating the numerous public services like Health, Welfare, Municipality services, and Volunteer NGOs.

Status: In progress

The pilot project should be learned and duplicated across Ukraine and be a significant element of the country's rehabilitation.