Ruth Wasserman Lande, head of global strategy at MDA, praised Israel’s emergency responders for their bravery and dedication, highlighting their selflessness and resilience. “I’ve been there for just a few months, and what I constantly see is them focused on how many lives they can save and how much help they can provide. It’s truly remarkable,” she said at the Jerusalem Post Diplomatic Conference at the Friends of Zion media center.
Wasserman Lande stressed the inclusivity of MDA’s volunteers: “These individuals risk their lives, they prioritize others and dedicate their days to helping. They truly deserve applause.” She described their efforts as “the purest form of humanity, regardless of color, ethnicity, or whose life they choose to save.”
She highlighted MDA’s “Seven Minute Project,” a training program that teaches Jewish communities worldwide how to respond before an ambulance arrives. “How do you respond to stay resilient during emergencies?” she questioned. She mentioned that volunteers are trained both in Israel and abroad, creating ambassadors for emergency response and resilience.
Regarding the October 7 attacks, when terrorists deliberately targeted paramedics, Wasserman Lande called for global accountability: “This terrorist group has attacked those meant to be the first responders, which is against international law. Where is the global outcry?”
Reflecting on the legacy of MDA’s volunteers, she said, “It’s like a family… It’s not about what I can gain, but what I can give. Nothing compares to the feeling of bringing someone back to life.”
Written in collaboration with MDA