Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Supports Residents and Security Forces
The State of Israel is at war, and members of the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev community have mobilized on behalf of the residents of Israel, IDF soldiers and the security forces. The university dormitories were opened to evacuated residents of the Gaza region and dedicated hotlines established to provide assistance.
Over 2,000 medical, nursing, and social work students are volunteering in hospitals throughout the country, providing medical and psychological assistance to the thousands of injured and their families.
Students and faculty members are supporting the families of soldiers called up for reserve duty by looking after their children and maintaining their homes. The university is housing medical teams from other parts of the country who came to assist the staff of the Soroka Medical Center in student dormitories. The dormitories were also opened to families of casualties in the hospital, evacuated residents of settlements and army reservists. At the same time, evacuated families are also being hosted at the homes of university faculty and staff, and there is a kindergarten on campus for the children of the medical staff.
The university faculty established an aid fund for families and soldiers.
For support and relevant answers, contact the dedicated hotline established for staff and students at the following email: updatebgu@bgu.ac.il.
For emotional support and assistance, contact the emotional first aid hotline (ERAN) dedicated to university students and staff at: 09-8891301. You can also contact the university’s Psychological Services at 08-6461088, or the Services’ director, at the email address: vip+pserv@bgu.ac.il.
The "Duet Center" for preschoolers BGU, in collaboration with the Soroka University Medical Center, the Association for Parent-Child Therapy and the Israeli Association for Babies’ Mental Health opened an emergency hotline to provide individual professional counseling to parents and families of 0-6 year-olds. The hotline will be staffed throughout the day and night: 054-7503970.
Prof. Naama Atzaba-Poria, founder and director of the Duet Center explained: "we are presently in a situation that is challenging and stressful for all of us, and our children are likewise affected. Even small children, infants and even babies are exposed to our stress and anxiety, and they don't always understand and are unable to express their emotions. It is important for us to be there for you – parents – so that you can be there for your children."
Dozens of students and staff members are supporting a massive logistical operation sorting and preparing food and supplies contributions at an ad-hoc logistics center established in Agamim Hall (a wedding venue) in Beer-Sheva. The donated food and supplies are delivered to families of the wounded, evacuated families, and soldiers at staging areas and the frontlines.
"Our initiative was launched in 2014, during Operation Protective Edge. A guy named Doron Elbaz began by distributing sandwiches and drinks to soldiers in the Gaza strip. Then he decided that this wasn't enough and started a rest stop. During emergencies the need for this kind of initiative is instinctive, and within a few hours my husband and I launched this mission. I abandoned everything I was doing as a medical student at the university and began enlisting thousands of wonderful volunteers to help us," said Alex Novikov, director of logistics and student volunteers for the initiative. "We are located in Agamim Hall in Beer-Sheva and presently have thousands of volunteers: taking down orders from students in the field, drivers, collectors, and security staff."
"We need additional contributions of clothing, hot food, hygiene products, and more."
We would like to thank the entire university community for their unconditional commitment and wholehearted assistance. This is the Israeli spirit at its best.
