In light of the recent spate of cold weather throughout Israel, the Ministry of Welfare and Social Security will activate its "Golden Shield" emergency program to assist senior citizens. The program will be carried out in cooperation with the Yedidut Foundation, which has made a one-time emergency budget for urgent needs in the amount of NIS 300,000 available to the social services departments in the local authorities. Senior citizens will be provided with blankets, winter clothing, stoves and other means of heating worth up to NIS 250 per person.