EMPOWERING FARMERS
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HELPING FARMERS IN THE NEGEV PROTECT THEIR LIVELIHOODS AGAINST TERROR ALONG THE SOUTHERN BORDER.
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About the Program
The Western Negev, close to the Gaza border, is an area dominated by agriculture and hosts numerous agricultural experiments. Since 2018, however, the whole area has faced an increase in terror attacks, particularly during the dry summer months which see hundreds of rockets and incendiary kites raining down on residents and farms in the area. The situation poses a dual threat to farmers of the region, as not only are their lives at risk, but there is also a constant threat to their agricultural activity.
Supported by The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, and utilizing our close partnerships across the region, we are responding and providing assistance. As a result of our activities around 700 farmers and agricultural staff have benefited from fire-fighting equipment and bomb shelters.
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Key Achievements
8
EMERGENCY
VEHICLES DISTRIBUTED
42
EMERGENCY FIREFIGHTING
EQUIPMENT PACKS
67
BOMB
SHELTERS INSTALLED
998,250
USD RAISED IN PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT
PROJECT GOAL​
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To help agriculture, which makes up a significant portion of the economic sector in the Negev, continue to thrive even during these incredibly difficult times.
Together with Pikud Haoref, the 4 regional councils and the Ministry of Agriculture, we have identified the areas with the greatest need and the tools which would be of the most immediate and direct use to the farmers.
We aim to equip regional councils with the tools they need to prevent significant fires from breaking out in agricultural fields and provide farmers with better access to bomb shelters at their place of work.
PROTECTION FROM ROCKETS ​
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Rocket fire poses an immediate threat to the security of farmworkers, who do not necessarily have access to bomb shelters. Small farms are not automatically granted bomb shelters at their place of work, leaving many farmers and their staff our of reach of safety during a rocket attack.
INCENDIARY KITES AND FIRE
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Incendiary kites landing in farmlands can turn into devastating fires, destroying agricultural production and threatening the farmers’ income. Over the course of June 2018 alone, incendiary kites caused more than 450 fires, torching some 7,000 acres of farmlands, parks and forests.