In the unrecognized Bedouin communities of the Negev, access to emergency medical services is a significant challenge.
Many residents are injured each year due to accidents or medical emergencies. However, because of their remote location, lack of infrastructure, unpaved roads, and absence of official addresses, emergency response teams face significant delays in reaching them. In many cases, the inability to provide immediate medical assistance leads to severe consequences and even loss of life.
A key factor influencing the chances of survival for injured individuals is the presence of trained people in their surroundings who can provide initial care until professional medical assistance arrives. Proper training can mean the difference between life and death.
The “Emergency Aid Training in Bedouin Communities” project was born out of a real need that emerged on the ground at the beginning of the Gaza-Israel conflict, as part of the “Shoulder to Shoulder” campaign. Given the reality that residents of Bedouin villages live without direct access to emergency medical services, shelters, or early warnings of attacks, the critical need arose to equip them with tools that would enable them to protect themselves and their families. The project quickly developed with the understanding that local first aid training is an essential means of saving lives, especially in places where the wait for an ambulance may be too long.
The project was designed in full alignment with and attentiveness to the unique needs of the Bedouin community and their living conditions. The courses were tailored to combine practical demonstrations and content focused on the specific characteristics of daily life in the unrecognized villages. Additionally, the first aid equipment provided to each participant was not just standard supplies but was specifically tailored to the community’s needs. This was done with the professional assistance of the “Nai Pharm” pharmacy from Bir Hadaj, which helped assemble a home first aid kit containing materials suited for injuries common to the region and local terrain conditions.
Since the beginning of the project, over 2,500 participants across the Negev have been trained. All received hands-on training in Hebrew and Arabic from professional paramedics and instructors. Each participant was provided with a high-quality first aid kit to treat various injuries, including bleeding control, bandaging, and initial burn care.
Following the project’s success, Keshet NGO and its partner organizations aim to expand the scope of the training programs.
Training community first aid responders creates a significant impact:
- Saving lives – providing knowledge and tools for immediate response in medical emergencies.
- Strengthening community resilience – developing the ability to handle medical emergencies and reducing dependence on external emergency services.
- Promoting the status of women in the community – women become key figures in local medical assistance, contribute to family safety, and gain recognition for their capabilities.
- Reducing health disparities – mitigating the severe consequences of limited access to medical services.
First aid training in Bedouin communities in the Negev is a life-saving initiative that emerged from a real need identified on the ground at the beginning of the Gaza-Israel conflict. The project provides practical first aid training to residents of unrecognized villages, specifically tailored to their living conditions, and strengthens community resilience by developing emergency medical response capabilities. This initiative contributes to reducing health disparities, empowering women as leaders in medical assistance, and helping to build a community capable of protecting itself.
