Operation Ethiopia: Israeli Humanitarian Delegation Restores Sight and Dignity to Hundreds

Operation Ethiopia, an Israeli humanitarian medical delegation, recently concluded a successful mission aimed at providing critical eye care services to underserved communities in Ethiopia. The 15-member team, led by Prof. Morris E. Hartstein, treated nearly 1,000 patients during their mission, which spanned multiple regions of the country, including Addis Ababa and the Seba Kare internally displaced persons camp in Mekelle, Tigray.

The team focused on treating various eye conditions, with a special emphasis on cataract surgery, which can restore sight to those living with blindness. As part of their extensive Cataract Campaign, the delegation successfully restored the vision of over 500 blind individuals. In addition to cataract surgeries, the team distributed 18 canes to the Mekelle School for the Blind and provided hundreds of pairs of glasses to patients in need.

Along with offering critical medical care, Operation Ethiopia also invested in the future of local communities by training dozens of teenagers aged 15-18 in basic first aid. This initiative aims to empower the next generation with vital life-saving skills, helping to improve the overall health and safety of local populations.

Adv. Jeremy Lustman, head of the DLA Piper Israel Group and a mission participant, reflected on the profound impact of the mission: "Witnessing the direct impact of Operation Ethiopia – how a dedicated team can restore sight, hope, and dignity to hundreds of people in just a few days – is truly transformative. It’s a powerful reminder of how professional collaboration can make a profound difference in people’s lives."

Operation Ethiopia is a shining example of how international collaboration and humanitarian efforts can bring life-changing results to vulnerable communities, restoring health and dignity to individuals who might otherwise have gone without critical care.