Discount Bank Establishes NIS 50 Million Aid Fund "Keren Or" for Children Affected by Conflict

In a heartfelt response to the ongoing challenges faced by children and teenagers affected by the recent conflict in Israel, Discount Bank has announced the establishment of the "Keren Or" fund. This dedicated aid fund, established in partnership with a mercantile bank, will provide NIS 50 million to address the complex needs of these young individuals, focusing on physical and emotional healing and community security.

Managed by a professional committee, Keren Or will create a comprehensive action plan in collaboration with experts in the fields of psychology, mental health, medicine, and education, including special education. The fund's mission is to ensure that children and youth harmed during the conflict, whether physically or mentally, receive efficient, quick, and hassle-free assistance. This support will extend even after the fighting has ceased.

Keren Or will operate in partnership with the Zenak Latid association and the Israeli Coalition for Trauma, which runs resilience centers in the Gaza Strip and other locations in southern Israel. The fund's multi-faceted approach will include ensuring a secure environment for each child, providing personal guidance, addressing physical and psychological needs, offering emotional therapy through various means, conducting empowerment and enrichment workshops, promoting social connections and leadership, delivering educational support, and addressing other emerging needs.

To maintain the flexibility and relevance of their efforts, the fund will engage in an ongoing dialogue with affected communities, resilience centers, and other relief organizations. The Start for the Future association, which has worked alongside Discount Bank since 2005 to enhance education in underserved areas, will expand its activities and partner with Discount to operate the fund.

The resilience centers, established by the Israeli Coalition for Trauma, are dedicated to expediting the recovery of communities, families, and individuals following emergency situations and trauma. Since the onset of the Iron Swords War, the Discount Group has significantly expanded its support for residents in southern Israel, customers, and security forces, as part of their commitment to the community. This support includes housing arrangements, food and equipment distribution, professional care for evacuees, and more. The bank has set up a dedicated hotline at its headquarters to provide personal and rapid assistance to customers from the Gaza Strip, and a team is in place to manage the needs of various organizations and channel donations and volunteers to relevant activities.

Avi Levy, CEO of the Discount Group, emphasized the importance of helping these children rebuild their lives and offering a sense of security to foster mental resilience after their harrowing experiences. He stated, "In this difficult time, we will work as much as possible to help them rebuild their lives and provide an envelope of security that will allow them the mental resilience after the inferno they experienced. In a joint effort, we will strive to secure the future of our children and give them a ray of light and hope for the future."