BINAN, Philippines -- Although the devastating Philippines typhoons are no longer in the headlines, the country of islands still has an urgent need for aid.
In response, CBN's Operation Blessing joined forces with Israeli medical teams to bring emergency care to the area's suffering residents.
No End in Sight
Two weeks have passed since the Philippines was battered by a series of super typhoons. Yet in the town of Binan in Laguna, the flood waters have not receded.
In fact, according to Philippine weather authorities, the flood waters will remain for several more months - well past the Christmas season.
Dr. Amnon Tsivieli and a team of Jewish volunteers from Israel witnessed the deplorable conditions as they partnered with Operation Blessing Philippines.
"It's like living in - excuse me - that's really living in the sewage," Tsivieli said.
"A medical Jewish team and a Christian organization can work together with cooperation because we have the same purpose," team leader Elad Sekr said.
In a single day, and amidst the threat of rising waters, the team treated 125 patients most of whom were children.
"We saw here a lot of diseases that we in Israel only know just from the books," said paramedic Shlomi Anavi.
"We are a small people," Amnon said. "We are brought up in a way that whenever we can extend a hand to help somebody, we do it."
For 68-year-old Antonio Tanon, the help came just at the nick of time. Operation Blessing doctors detected an impending heart attack and he was rushed to the nearest hospital.
"My husband's condition is now stable but if not for you, he could be dead," said Antonio's wife Teresita. "Thank you so much Operation Blessing."
Much More to Do
The Jewish medical volunteers, with the help of Operation Blessing, are only in the middle of their mission. They aim to do more.
"Maybe it's a drop in the bucket but it's a very important one, because the message is clear," Sekr explained. "We are not staying in our houses watching the news on CNN on TV. We leave everything and we come to help."
"And if you help someone -- even if it's one soul -- and you help him and you make it one hundred percent for him and if you make it for 1,000 people, maybe it's a drop, but it's 1,000 people that you help," he said.
Shlomi added, "I truly believe that if each one of us will do one good thing each day, the world will be much better."
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