Mission in Equatorial Guinea

The IDF's humanitarian aid delegation to the Republic of Equatorial Guinea is returning to Israel today (Friday).

As they leave the city of Bata, the Medical Corps and the Ministry of Health will supply Equatorial Guinea with two tons of medical equipment.
As a token of appreciation for the activities of the 67 members of the Israeli delegation, the President of Guinea presented the delegation with the Medal of Honor, "Knight of Equatorial Guinea."

During the delegation’s seven days of operation, medical forces worked in the three hospitals in the city and operated mobile clinics for villages on the outskirts, providing medical assistance to 725 patients, and performing 92 life-saving surgeries and medical procedures.
At the same time, the rescue and training forces surveyed dangerous structures.

The delegation formulated professional recommendations for improving the medical response in the city by building medical institutions and upgrading them.
In addition, the delegation conducted training for dealing with multi-casualty incidents for staff at the three local hospitals, in parallel with meetings held with local aid organizations, in order to promote a return to routine.

The delegation led the coordination with other foreign missions in Equatorial Guinea and international aid organizations, including with the World Health Organization and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. It also included efforts in cooperation with senior local government officials.

The delegation, under the command of the Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Colonel Dr. Noam Fink, consisted of (among others): 55 doctors, nurses and paramedics from the Medical Corps and nine representatives of the Rescue and Training Division, including engineers and civilian assistance specialists in both regular and reserve service.

The IDF will continue to assist and contribute with its experience and capabilities wherever required.

The delegation's commander, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Colonel Dr. Noam Fink: "The aid delegation has fulfilled its mission - saving lives. We were proud to stand by our ally, Equatorial Guinea, and represent the State of Israel."

Deputy Commander of the delegation, Commander of the Rescue and Training Brigade, Col. Shlomi Ben Mocha: "This delegation joins the series of delegations of Home Front Command experts to various countries as part of the effort to save lives and rehabilitate the civilian space as required."