Israel failed to coordinate NIS 14.8 billion in October 7 volunteer aid, probe finds

Israel's response to the October 7 crisis was bolstered by an estimated NIS 14.78 billion in volunteer labor and donations, yet the government lacked a system to coordinate this massive civilian effort, according to a State Comptroller's report. The audit, focusing on the period between October and December 2023, found that this civilian aid significantly outpaced state allocations, highlighting a critical gap in governmental preparedness for managing spontaneous, large-scale volunteer initiatives.

The report revealed that over 1,000 civilian emergency initiatives formed spontaneously, assisting more than two million people. This widespread, uncoordinated response included donations of food, equipment, accommodation, transport, and volunteer manpower, much of which was directed toward needs that also fell under the purview of government ministries. The lack of a central coordinating body meant that these vital resources were not always efficiently channeled to where they were most needed.

From 2018 until the audit's conclusion in July 2025, no single government authority was responsible for coordinating with donor and volunteer bodies during emergencies. A relevant division within the National Emergency Authority had been closed in 2018 without a replacement. Attempts to establish a cross-sector coordination mechanism after the war began proved unsuccessful, with many ministries lacking designated officials for such coordination and failing to map potential needs or assistance providers beforehand.

The scale of volunteerism was immense, with nearly half of Israeli adults volunteering in October 2023. The estimated value of volunteer labor alone reached NIS 8.56 billion, while money and in-kind donations totaled NIS 6.22 billion. This significant civilian contribution underscored the need for a structured governmental approach to harness and direct such efforts effectively in future crises.