Providing Hope and
Courage in Times of Crisis
A beacon of hope and unwavering courage shines in the heart of a crisis and catastrophe.
The Israel Magen Fund of Canada works with ZAKA Search & Rescue to strengthen emergency-response capacity across Israel, helping equip trained volunteers with the vehicles, equipment, and resources they need to respond when lives are at risk.
Currently Fundraising
IMFoC and ZAKA are partnering to deliver crucial mental-health support for first responders facing extreme trauma. The initiative provides crisis care, advanced therapy, and resilience training to safeguard their well-being.
In collaboration with:
ZAKA Search & Rescue
Founded in 1995, ZAKA is Israel's leading
non-governmental rescue and recovery organization.
With a 5,000-strong volunteer force, it responds to crises 24/7, embodying resilience, compassion, and selflessness. Whether in the aftermath of terror attacks or natural disasters, ZAKA's mission—"To save those who can be saved and honour what remains"—is more than a motto; it is its sacred commitment.
Their volunteers come from diverse backgrounds and are united by a shared purpose. Their expertise spans specialized units—from K9 teams to jet-ski responders—ensuring rapid, professional action across all terrains. However, what truly defines ZAKA is the spirit of volunteerism, which bridges societal divides and showcases the power of unity.
Expanding ZAKA’s Emergency Response Fleet
Strengthening Emergency Response Across Israel
The Urgency of Now
More vehicles. Faster response.
Greater capacity to save lives across Israel.
When an emergency happens, ZAKA Search & Rescue volunteers must be ready to respond, often with little warning and in extraordinarily difficult conditions.
Their work can take them from city streets and residential communities to forests, mountains, beaches, disaster zones and areas that conventional vehicles cannot easily reach. They may be searching for a missing person, responding to a mass-casualty incident, assisting after a missile strike, conducting a water rescue or supporting recovery and identification operations after tragedy.
In every one of these situations, mobility is essential to the response.
A rescue vehicle is not simply transportation. It brings trained volunteers, specialized equipment, and critical supplies to where they are needed. The right vehicle can help reduce response times, extend operations into difficult-to-access areas and give volunteers the tools they need when they arrive.
That is why renewing and expanding the emergency-response fleet is an important priority.
Why the Fleet Needs to Grow
ZAKA operates one of Israel's largest volunteer disaster-response networks, with approximately 5,000 trained volunteers available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
These volunteers respond to incidents ranging from missing-person searches and drownings to traffic accidents, terror attacks, missile strikes, building collapses and mass-casualty emergencies.
The scale of this work places significant demands on ZAKA's operational infrastructure. During the response following October 7, 5,701 volunteers were deployed, contributing more than 63,000 volunteer hours.
Vehicles are therefore not a secondary operational expense. They are part of the infrastructure that makes this response possible.
Renewing and expanding the fleet helps:
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Reduce response times by allowing trained volunteers and equipment to deploy more rapidly.
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Increase geographic coverage so teams can respond across more communities and regions.
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Reach difficult terrain where standard emergency vehicles may not be able to operate.
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Transport specialized rescue equipment directly to the scene.
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Improve operational readiness and safety with modern vehicles configured for demanding emergency conditions.
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Strengthen preparedness for large-scale emergencies in which multiple teams and vehicles may need to be deployed simultaneously.
The objective is simple: when people need help, the resources required to respond should already be ready to move.
Our Objective
12 Fully Equipped Emergency Vehicles
This year, IMFoC is seeking support to strengthen emergency response services in Israel by adding twelve fully equipped vehicles to the emergency-response fleet: five ambulances, two 4WD all-terrain rescue vehicles, and five rapid rescue motorcycles.
IMFoC is working with ZAKA Search & Rescue to deliver these emergency services and strengthen the capacity of trained volunteers to respond rapidly and effectively across Israel.
5 Fully Equipped Ambulances
US$146,000 each | Approximately CAD$202,000 each
An equipped ambulance is much more than a vehicle for travelling from one location to another. It is a mobile emergency-response platform.
Fully equipped for operational deployment, these vehicles help ensure that trained volunteers can arrive rapidly with the rescue and emergency equipment required to begin working immediately.
In a major emergency, this capability becomes particularly important. Multiple incidents may occur simultaneously, communities may be separated by significant distances, and existing emergency resources may already be deployed elsewhere. Additional vehicles increase the ability to position teams strategically and dispatch volunteers where they are needed.
For the people waiting for help, that translates into something very tangible: greater capacity to get trained responders and essential equipment to an emergency without unnecessary delay.
Objective: 5 ambulances
Total: US$730,000 - Approximate Canadian value: CAD$1 million
2 Fully Equipped 4WD All-Terrain Rescue Vehicles
US$162,000 each | Approximately CAD$224,000 each
Not every emergency happens where an ambulance or conventional vehicle can easily go.
Missing-person searches, natural disasters, water emergencies and rescue operations can take volunteers into remote areas, rugged terrain, beaches, forests and other locations where accessibility becomes part of the emergency itself.
The 4WD provides ZAKA's specialized teams with the mobility and equipment required for these environments.
Each vehicle is outfitted with advanced rescue capabilities, including:
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specialized rescue equipment;
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ropes;
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diving equipment;
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fixed and portable lighting;
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protective equipment; and
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first aid supplies.
This effectively turns the vehicle into a mobile rescue unit, bringing both responders and specialized equipment into challenging environments.
For a search team, it can mean reaching an area that a standard vehicle cannot access. For a diving or water-rescue operation, it means transporting personnel and specialized gear together. During nighttime or prolonged operations, fixed and portable lighting helps teams continue working in difficult conditions.
Objective: 2 all-terrain 4WD rescue vehicles
Total: US$324,000 - Approximate Canadian value: CAD$447,000
5 Fully Equipped Rapid Rescue Motorcycles
US$37,000 each | Approximately CAD$51,000 each
In an emergency, the first few minutes can make the difference between life and death. But traffic congestion, blocked roads, narrow streets and debris following a disaster can prevent larger emergency vehicles from reaching a scene as quickly as needed.
ZAKA’s three-wheeled Rapid Rescue Motorcycles are designed to overcome these obstacles. Agile and highly manoeuvrable, they enable trained paramedic volunteers to move through congested traffic and access areas that may be difficult for ambulances and other larger vehicles to reach.
Each motorcycle is fully equipped with advanced life-saving medical supplies and communications equipment, giving volunteers the resources they need to begin providing critical assistance within minutes of arriving at the scene.
With ZAKA’s Rapid Response Motorcycle Unit answering more than 7,000 emergency calls annually, renewing and expanding the fleet strengthens volunteers' ability to respond quickly across Israel.
These motorcycles do not replace ambulances or larger rescue vehicles. They provide something equally important: the ability to get a trained responder and life-saving equipment to the scene as quickly as possible.
Objective: 5 Rapid Rescue Motorcycles
Total: US$185,000 - Approximate Canadian value: C$256,000
Our Objective Summary:
12 Emergency Vehicles
This year, IMFoC is seeking support to strengthen emergency response capacity across Israel with 12 fully equipped vehicles, helping trained volunteers reach emergencies faster and respond with the specialized equipment they need.
5 Fully Equipped Ambulances
CAD$1 million
2 Fully Equipped 4WD All-Terrain Rescue Vehicles
CAD$447,000
5 Fully Equipped Rapid Rescue Motorcycles
CAD$256,000
CAD$1.713 Million for 12 vehicles
Greater reach. Faster response.
More capacity to save lives.
Become a Hero for the Heroes
Every emergency begins with someone willing to answer the call.
Working in partnership with ZAKA Search & Rescue, IMFoC helps strengthen emergency response services in Israel by supporting the equipment, resources, and volunteer resilience needed to respond when every second counts. From natural disasters and mass-casualty incidents to everyday emergencies, these dedicated volunteers are often among the first to arrive, providing life-saving assistance, recovering victims with dignity, and bringing comfort to families during their darkest moments.
A gift of $1,000 or more helps IMFoC continue delivering these vital humanitarian initiatives in partnership with ZAKA. As a symbol of our appreciation, you will receive the exclusive "Iron Swords" Commemorative Medal, recognizing your commitment to protecting lives and strengthening emergency response where it is needed most.
Your generosity helps ensure that courageous volunteers have access to the equipment, training, and support they need to continue serving communities with compassion, professionalism, and unwavering dedication.
Some heroes respond to emergencies. Others make those responses possible.
Donate $1,000 or more today and receive the limited-edition ZAKA "Iron Swords" Commemorative Medal, available exclusively to ZAKA donors, as our thank you for helping save lives and preserve human dignity.
🎗️ Your Donation, Their Hope
Your Support Matters
By donating to IMFoC, you are directly contributing to initiatives that enhance emergency services and support first responders' mental health and resilience.
Every contribution helps ensure that ZAKA’s volunteers can continue their life-saving work while maintaining their own well-being.
