When natural disaster recently struck Sierra Leone, Israel was the first to provide much-needed assistance to the desperate population.

The West African nation of Sierra Leone was hit last week by deadly mudslides.

It comes as no surprise that the Jewish state was the first to assist the victims on the ground, sending massive supplies of food and medicine.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Israeli embassy in Senegal, is also being facilitated by the Africa Division of MASHAV – Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation.

The aid is being provided in accordance with instructions from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who also serves as Israel’s foreign minister, to extend assistance immediately and in every way possible.

This is certainly not a first for Israel, which over past decade has come to the aid of over 1 million people in need in 39 countries.