The IDF Widows and Orphans Organization is facing a financial crisis, according to a report by Galei Tzahal Wednesday morning, after one of its major sources of funding announced it would no longer contribute to the organization.
Eighteen months after the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, the Friends of the IDF organization announced that it will be ending its funding for the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization.
The FIDF's support currently makes up roughly a quarter of the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization's budget.
The termination of the FIDF's funding is expected to lead to massive cutbacks in the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization's operations.
FIDF responded to the report:
FIDF cherishes the important activities of all organizations that support families in grief, including 'IDF Widows and Orphans Organization' and 'Yad La Banim'. As FIDF has shifted its financial transfers to be directly and fully aligned with the IDF’s priority of needs to ensure the wellbeing of IDF soldiers, we currently support bereaved family retreats at Givat Olga, at the IDF’s request.
Donations designated for the welfare of bereaved families will continue to be forwarded to the various organizations who support them, in accordance with the IDF and Ministry of Defense recommendations. We emphasize that FIDF will always make every effort to fully support the wellbeing of IDF soldiers, bereaved families, and wounded soldiers.