Yotam Polizer

Yotam Polizer is the leader of IsraAID, an international humanitarian organization that since its establishment in 2001 has responded to crises in 60 countries, reaching more than 5 million people affected by human-made and climate-related disasters. Under Yotam's leadership over the last three years, IsraAID redefined its mission and theory of change based on the 3 R's approach: Relief, Recovery, and Resilience. This framework sees crises and disasters as opportunities not only for initial relief and life-saving interventions but also for providing long-term recovery and capacity strengthening that leads to resilient communities equipped with tools and know-how to support themselves in current and future disasters. IsraAID's global impact includes supporting over 120,000 Ukrainian refugees through relief distributions and safe spaces while partnering with the office of the first lady to train Ukrainian psychologists in mental health and trauma prevention; facilitating the evacuation of more than 200 Afghan human rights activists and female leaders followed by education, mental health support, and resettlement in Canada; and responding to Hurricane Maria in Dominica in 2017, where IsraAID remains the only international NGO helping the government become the first "climate resilient country."

IsraAID's work also includes a six-year project in Greece that began with emergency medical and psychological support to more than 100,000 Syrian refugees arriving on Lesbos and continued with long-term education, livelihood, and psycho-social support programs in mainland Greece and Germany—a project that won the 2018 integration award from Chancellor Merkel. In Dominica, IsraAID provided housing and relief to 300 families and now supports 74 schools to better prepare for future disasters while offering innovative livelihood programs in partnership with Israeli tech company Fiverr. Yotam speaks Hebrew, English, Japanese, Nepalese, and basic Arabic. He holds a BA in International Relations and African Studies from Tel Aviv University and Israel Open University and is a Shusterman Fellow.