Following the massive earthquake and tsunami in Japan and after consultation with the Israeli Foreign Ministry and with emissaries from the Chabad organization in Japan, the ZAKA International Rescue Unit will send a team of trained volunteers from Israel , headed by the ZAKA International Rescue Unit co-directors Mati Goldstein and Dovi Maisel, on Saturday evening (after the conclusion of the Sabbath) to help in search and rescue efforts in Japan.
In addition, another team from the ZAKA International Rescue Unit based in Hong Kong will leave for the quake area after the conclusion of the Sabbath in their region.
The ZAKA International Rescue Unit volunteers will be met by the Israel ambassador to Japan Nissim Ben Sheetrit. The specially trained ZAKA volunteers will join the international search and rescue efforts in an effort to save as many lives as possible.
ZAKA, founded in 1995, is Israel's dominant non-governmental lifesaving, rescue and recovery organization, with over 1,500 volunteers, 34 ambulances and 162 motorcycles deployed around the country, on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to respond to any terror attack, disaster or accident immediately, professionally and with the necessary equipment.
The UN-recognized ZAKA International Rescue Unit has assisted at natural disasters around the world, including Haiti (the first Israeli delegation to arrive on the scene, the tsunami in Thailand and the hurricane in New Orleans.