American Elephants

An Israeli Defense Force Command search and rescue team with a fully equipped field hospital has headed for Nepal, a 12 hour journey, to aid the earthquake stricken country.The death toll has climbed to more than 2,500 people, and 61 are known to have been killed in neighboring countries. The U.S Geological Survey has counted 12 aftershocks, one measuring 6.6 on the Richter scale.

The fully equipped IDF field hospital can treat 200 patients a day. Some 260 personnel accompanied the two planes.The field hospital will have a ward for premature babies, a labor ward, x-ray machines and a hospitalization area, as well as lab and surgery areas.

The first priority will be the search and rescue effort to find earthquake victims trapped in the rubble.They have cutting equipment, electronic devices to help find trapped victims, lighting equipment and more.

The Israelis are world-renowned first responders in the case of great natural disasters, and both extremely efficient and well prepared to work closely with local officials. An advance team left in the early morning hours. Arriving safely may be a challenge as the Kathmandu airport was heavily damaged in the earthquake

This is the worst tremor to hit this South Asian country in over 80 years.