Not Everyone Can Run for Shelter When the Sirens Sound

The recent Iranian attack on Israel, which targeted densely populated areas, once again exposed the fragility of the home front, and the critical gaps in our emergency preparedness. Hundreds of missiles and drones aimed directly at civilian centers reminded us: while most citizens are expected to run for shelter, many simply cannot.

For people with disabilities, emergencies such as rocket sirens or evacuation orders are not just challenging, they can be life-threatening. A person who uses a wheelchair, a teenager with autism who cannot be left alone, someone with hearing loss who doesn’t hear the siren, each of them depends on a tailored, rapid, and accessible response. But in practice, that response is largely absent.

At Purple Rear Command, an emergency civil response hub I founded on October 7th, we’ve received hundreds of calls for help. Nearly 50% are urgent requests for evacuation to safe, accessible shelters. These are not theoretical needs they are real-time pleas from people in danger. Unfortunately, there is no designated government budget, no single responsible authority, and no clear national protocol for evacuating people with disabilities in times of crisis. While local authorities try their best, it’s simply not enough.

I am convinced this ongoing gap stems from a lack of planning and dedicated funding. There is no coordinated policy, no emergency framework, and no long-term solution. And as a result, some of the most vulnerable citizens are left exposed and unprotected.

Our volunteer team continues to operate around the clock, doing everything in our power to fill the gap. But we cannot replace the role of government. A permanent, state-backed, and properly funded mechanism must be established to ensure the evacuation and protection of people with disabilities as a standard part of emergency preparedness.

We will continue to do our part. But in order to sustain and expand our efforts, we urgently need public support - donations, partnerships, and outreach.

For donations, inquiries, or collaboration:

mkshirlypinto@gmail.com

Missiles do not distinguish between people. Our emergency response shouldn’t either. No one should be left behind, not in times of peace, and certainly not in times of war.

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