Helping with arising community needs of the COVID-19 crisis
2020 brought about a global crisis, unprecedented in modern times, in the form of the COVID-19 virus, along with its significant health and economic repercussions. The crisis created new and immediate needs in the various communities in which ICL operates and required the Company to act swiftly and flexibly in order to assist with the various needs.
In 2020, ICL donated ILS 1.5 million to the fight against COVID-19 in Israel, including about ILS 350,000 for food parcels and food stamps for the needy, ILS 750,000 were donated to the Soroka Medical Center in Be’er Sheva, and ILS 150,000 for a new respiratory treatment facility in the Sheba – Tel Hashomer Medical Center in Ramat Gan
In addition, ICL played a pivotal role in a joint effort with the Israeli government and Israel’s flag carrier, EL AL, for the acquisition and airlift of a significant quantity of essential medical equipment, including masks and personal protective gear from China. The acquired equipment was airlifted to Israel by 11 aircraft. ICL provided significant assistance to the Israeli government in this effort, thanks to its activity and connections in China and by leveraging its procurement capabilities and its experience in operating in various provinces of China. Furthermore, thanks to ICL’s know-how and expertise in procurement in China, it managed to acquire, in coordination with the Israeli Health Ministry, critical COVID-19 test swabs in the amount of ILS 250,000. ICL also donated medical protective gear to the Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon and to Israeli HMOs. In addition, the Company took part in national projects such as “Strong During COVID” for the support of small businesses, the Mutual Solidarity Foundation project, designed to aid thousands of people needing assistance during the COVID-19 crisis.
ICL also aided in dealing with the pandemic in other regions around the world where it operates. For example, in the early stages of the pandemic (early 2020), ICL donated protective gear to hospitals in China (in its regions of operations), at a total value of $50,000. The Company donated protective gear for the use of healthcare systems in other regions of operations, including Spain, Germany, and Brazil.
In the years prior to the crisis, ICL’s flagship project “Thinking Doing” created a stable infrastructure of partners, in the Negev communities, that engaged in a wide array of collaborations that fostered mutual trust. This network of partners swiftly launched several new initiatives to address needs arising from the COVID-19 crisis. ICL issued a call for proposals through its partners, inviting the general public, municipal authorities and social organizations operating in the Negev, to propose initiatives encouraging solidarity between populations at a time of social distancing.
ICL invested over ILS 200,000 in executing the selected initiatives. Each initiative was given professional guidance and a monetary grant to execute the project. The Company accompanied the process from the initial stage of studying the communities’ needs, through counseling and working with entrepreneurs implementing the various initiatives, as well as follow up and feedback upon conclusion of the project.
Examples of projects in 2020:
- Inclusive online activities, such as creative craft activities in the various communities.
- Distribution of a thousand craft kits for toddlers, including in dispersed Bedouin settlements.
- Providing aids for at-home activities with children on the autistic spectrum who could not receive regular care.
- Distribution of activity kits to foster inclusiveness among family members: creation of food trays for birds; woodworking kits distributed to homes with an activity plan; and a unique application for family games.
- Elderly-oriented activities: book club, distribution of neighborhood leaflets; greeting cards and flowers on the holidays.
- Inclusive community activity: community holiday celebrations; preparation of joint community crafts.
- Providing accessibility and digital communication to the needy.
- Publishing a COVID-19 time neighborhood newspaper to increase neighborhood cohesion.
As ICL is adjusting to operating in the new COVID-19 ‘normalcy’, the Company supported a safe and healthy return to work. All ICL facilities were equipped with personal protection gear and informational pamphlets. The Company has also sent masks to all its employees and retired employees, to help them keep healthy and safe.
ICL’s activities to confront the COVID-19 pandemic span the globe.
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