safeguarding israel's home front
This is an air-raid siren. When Israelis hear this sound they have 15 seconds to run to the nearest bomb shelter.
WHAT are bomb shelters for?
For close to ten years, the South of Israel has sustained major casualties as a result of continuous rocket attacks from nearby Gaza. Over 10,000 missiles have targeted the “Gaza envelope” region; Sderot, just minutes from the border, has suffered from nearly daily rocket fire.
During Operation Cast Lead (2008-9) rockets ravaged the area, killing, maiming, and destroying property. During the Second Lebanon War in 2006, Israel's north came under unprecedented rocket bombardment.
The current instability among Israel's neighbours underscores the need to be prepared for every eventuality.
WHY IS IT NECESSARY TO RENOVATE BOMB SHELTERS?
Old buildings lack protected rooms that are mandatory for all new construction. Over the years, public shelters that were constructed in the early days of the State have fallen into a bad state of disrepair and lack basic amenities
With increased Palestinian rearming and ever more sophistical weaponry, rural settlements as well as cities such as Beer Sheva, Ashkelon, and Ashdod have come within rocket range of Gazan terrorists; the range of fire from Israel's northern neighbors has similarly increased.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
- New electrical systems, emergency lighting, and ventilation will be installed.
- Water and plumbing infrastructures and wash room facilities will be built.
- Foundations and walls will be reinforced.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
A donation of $29,000 will renovate one medium-size public bomb shelter.
A donation of $40,000 will renovate one large public bomb shelter.