Emergency Purchase Cards for Evacuees and Olim 

IFCJ Canada  |  March 26, 2026

When the conflict with Iran began, Fellowship Israel staff—part of a Fellowship affiliate organization—prepared a reserve of around 1,500 emergency purchase cards to help meet urgent needs such as food, clothing, and basic necessities for people in Israel displaced by Iranian rocket attacks. Those evacuated to hotels and shelters have faced significant challenges accessing food and essential items left behind at home. Over the past three weeks, as the war has continued, these cards have been steadily distributed throughout Israel, particularly in the hardest-hit communities. 

Northern and central Israel have been battered by Iran and its nearby proxies. Those affected include not only families who have lost their homes, but also elderly individuals—some of whom are Holocaust survivors—along with olim (new immigrants) and children. In recent weeks, more than half of these emergency purchase cards have been distributed to families forced to flee their homes in cities that have experienced devastating attacks, including Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan, Be’er Sheva, Beit Shemesh, and northern communities near the Lebanon border. 

The impact of this assistance extends beyond long-time beneficiaries. Jewish families and elderly individuals—some of whom made aliyah (immigration to Israel) with support from the Fellowship—have also been affected by the conflict. IFCJ Canada supports work like this, helping individuals and families fulfill biblical prophecy by returning to Israel and rebuilding their lives through aliyah and resettlement. Following the escalation, Fellowship Israel’s Klitah (integration) team traveled to Be’er Sheva to distribute emergency purchase cards to families they had previously assisted. 

While distributing cards in Beit Shemesh last week, Fellowship Israel staff visited the Leonardo Hotel in Jerusalem, which has been housing more than 140 people who evacuated after their homes were destroyed earlier this month. In addition to purchase cards, the evacuees also received activity kits for children, funded by IFCJ U.S. 

To date, 618 emergency purchase cards have been distributed to displaced individuals across Israel. This assistance—providing dignity and practical support to families, children, and the elderly during an ongoing crisis—would not be possible without the generosity of supporters who help ensure care reaches those most in need. 

 ^“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).