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In response to an appeal by Kenyan Vice President Moody Awori to FM Tzipi Livni, an Israeli team will help rescue people trapped in a building that collapsed in Nairobi.

First survivor rescued by IDF team (IDF Spokesman)

(Communicated by the Foreign Ministry Spokesman)

A rescue team left last night for Kenya, in response to an appeal by Kenyan Vice President Moody Awori to Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. The team's mission is to help save people trapped in the building that collapsed on Monday, 23 January, in Nairobi. The delegation includes officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as about 80 IDF soldiers and officers, mostly from the Home Front Command.

Israel and Kenya have long-standing ties of friendship. Even during the period in which the two states did not have full diplomatic relations, Israel was allowed to maintain a presence in Kenya, in the form of an office of interests. Kenya also played an important role in the success of Operation Entebbe.

Departure of IDF humanitarian aid delegation to Kenya
(Communicated by the IDF Spokesman)

Following the collapse of a building in Nairobi, Kenya and in accordance with the decision of the Defense Minister, it has been decided to send an IDF rescue delegation carrying humanitarian and medical aid from Israel to the disaster area in Nairobi. The delegation, which has been coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, left tonight from the IAF base in Lod. Members of the delegation will assist in rescuing and providing medical treatment to those trapped under the rubble.

The delegation, commanded by Maj. Gen, Gershon (Jerry) Yitzhak, Head of the Home Front Command, will comprise some 80 IDF search and rescue professionals and medical personnel. The delegation will transport technological rescue equipment, as well as humanitarian equipment, to the disaster area.

The delegation will do everything in its power to make use of the professional knowledge and experience which the IDF has attained in order to save lives.

Update:

The IDF rescue delegation which left last night for Kenya following the collapse of a building in Nairobi has been working since the early hours of the morning at the disaster site, assisting in rescuing and providing medical treatment to those trapped under the rubble. As of yet the delegation has rescued two trapped people and uncovered three bodies.

Kenyan President Mr. Mwai Kibaki arrived at the site this afternoon and met with the Head of the IDF Home Front Command, Maj. Gen. Gershon (Jerry) Yitzhak, Israeli Ambassador Mr. Emanuel Seri and the rest of the delegation and thanked them for their efforts.

The IDF has been involved in rescue and humanitarian aid missions in the past, including:

.Assistance to Georgian earthquake victims (1991)
.Humanitarian aid to refugees of the Rwandan Civil War (1994)
.IDF rescue mission in Kenya following US Embassy blast (1998)
.Rescue and humanitarian aid to Turkish earthquake victims, in which the IDF teams rescued 12 survivors and uncovered 146 bodies (1999)
.Humanitarian aid mission to South Asia to assist needy countries .after the devastating tsunami in the Indian Ocean (2004)
.Humanitarian aid delegation to New Orleans' victims of Hurricane Katrina (2005)