Israel to the Rescue? How Innovation and Technology Saving Lives in Africa – Sputnik International

Israel’s international airport is not fully operational due to the raging coronavirus, but for Michal Benari, chief of staff at Innovation Africa, limited flights are definitely not an obstacle.

Israeli Solutions

Determined to bring Israeli technology and innovation to African countries, some of which have also been suffering from the pandemic, the NGO’s mission is simple. It strives to provide remote and rural areas of the continent with access to energy and clean water.

For a continent, where nearly 800 million people have no access to such basic necessities, their work, as well as the activity of other Israeli companies with a similar mission, appears to be an uphill battle. Benari says that since the moment of its establishment the company has positively impacted the lives of more than 2.2 million people across ten African countries.

It all started in 2008, when Sivan Ya’ari, the CEO and founder of the NGO, travelled to Tanzania as part of her masters in international energy management and policy. It was there that she witnessed the impact that a lack of access to energy and clean water can have on rural communities, and it was there that she decided to dedicate her life to changing the world.

Back then, she managed to raise the necessary sum to power a medical centre via a small solar power system, but Ya’ari didn’t want to stop there.

The feedback the NGO’s getting is positive. Teams are warmly welcomed and most of the time enjoy cooperation with local communities, village chiefs, relevant ministers, and governmental officials.

Hurdles Ahead

But despite their good intentions, hard work, numerous volunteers, and an army of engineers and local contractors, Benari says the NGO is still struggling to gain access and help all those in need of assistance.

The practical meaning of this is that urgent operations that need to take place at night are either performed in the dark or are delayed until morning, putting the lives of patients at risk.

Life-saving vaccines that require refrigerators are not available, exposing thousands that could be saved to potential danger.

Innovation Africa relies on heavy cash injections from private donors, including families and corporations, but despite impressive cash flows, a mission to assist millions across the continent needs constant financial support.

The COVID pandemic, which has already damaged many economies around the world, could harm the NGO’s chances of securing those funds but Benari is certain that the company will be able to overcome this and other difficulties.

And they hope to continue their activity in the years to come.