BRITISH FRIENDS LAUNCH EMERGENCY APPEAL TO HELP STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES AFFECTED BY THE CARMEL FIRES

INFORMATION ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE BRITISH FRIENDS OF HAIFA UNIVERSITY

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: JACK RAYMOND, TEL. 07943 170151
UNIVERSITY OF HAIFA

BRITISH FRIENDS LAUNCH EMERGENCY APPEAL TO HELP STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES AFFECTED BY THE CARMEL FIRES

The University of Haifa is closed until further notice due to the serious nature of the fires raging on Mount Carmel and over 15,000 students, faculty and staff members were evacuated to avoid unnecessary risk. Following the official announcement, all present left the premises safely within two hours and did so in an orderly way.

The University campus is being used as the Emergency Central Command for all forces, including the Fire-fighters, the IDF and the Police and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was among government ministers who visited the site.

The University's International School worked in conjunction with the Haifa Municipality and found homes for its students outside of the affected areas. They joined forces with other organizations including synagogues with conservative and orthodox communities offering hospitality and housing.

The British Friends of Haifa University is launching an appeal for funds to help students and their families directly affected by the fires, as well as providing fire-fighting and safety equipment.

Jack Raymond, executive director of the British Friends of Haifa University, explains: "0ur primary concern is the safety of our students and we were heartened to hear that everyone had left the campus safely. But the situation is changing by the minute and it is impossible to know how many students and their families will have been affected by the fire.

"There is ALSO a critical need to bolster fire prevention and safety measures both inside and outside of the university campus and we are concerned about safeguarding important facilities such as the university library, which houses a valuable collection of books and manuscripts, and numerous research facilities.

"We urge British Jewry to dig deep into their pockets in response to the emergency campaign that is being launched by the University of Haifa, to help students and their families and to purchase and install fire protection equipment to minimise potential damage."

To make a donation, call Jack Raymond, executive director of British Friends of Haifa University on mobile 07943 170151 or email jack@haifa-univ.org.uk

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