THIS IS to offer much needed support to the citizens of Turkey following two earthquakes of magnitude 7.8 and 7.7 that also hit the northwest Syria on Monday.
Over 8000 people have died and the number will increase exponentially.
Gift of the Givers’ medical teams based in Turkey and Syria responded to the earthquake.
Through its official Facebook page, the non-governmental organisation (NGO) said it had opened its Arrahma Hospital in Syria where it received more than 100 casualties.
“Our teams rapidly evacuated the children from our Bayt Kareem Child Care Centre in Gaziantep, Turkey whilst in Darkoush, Syria our medical teams were on full alert to respond.
The casualties started arriving with 25 deceased and 100+ injured, and they are pouring in. The casualties in both countries are expected to increase exponentially. Freezing cold, rain and snow are hampering search and rescue efforts,” says the organisation.
“Gift of the Givers only responds if a call is made by the affected country for international assistance. Not only has the call been made, but we have been contacted directly by the Turkish ambassador to South Africa, Aysegul Kandas, and by the consul general in Cape Town, Sinan Yesildag, to assist in this huge disaster. They will facilitate all the arrangements in Turkey.
“Our SA ambassador to Turkey, Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba, has also requested our intervention… Search and rescue and medical teams with specialised equipment are already on standby to fly out by the latest tomorrow (today).”
The department of international relations and cooperation is monitoring the situation and ready to provide emergency assistance in case of South Africans being stranded or affected by the disaster.
South Africans living in Turkey consist of students, holidaymakers, shoppers and people who travel to the country for other reasons.
Clayson Monyela, deputy head of international relations and cooperation, says some South African students live in the capital city of Ankara, which is about seven hours away from where the earthquake-hit area.
Doctors Without Borders head of mission in Syria Sebastien Gay said the organisation was providing aid to affected areas in Turkey and Syria.
“Following the strong earthquake that hit mainly south-east Turkey and northwest Syria earlier this morning, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) teams have been responding in northern Syria since the early hours.
“In Idlib, northern Syria, we are treating patients in our supported hospitals, and our teams have donated emergency medical kits to other facilities in the region. We remain in close contact with authorities in northwest Syria and in southern Turkey to better support based on their needs and support the people affected by the earthquake.”
Governments and international organisations from around the world have responded with offers of support.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said early on Monday that 45 countries had offered help with search and rescue efforts.
Meanwhile, Ghana international winger Christian Atsu has been found alive after being buried under rubble in the earthquake that hit Turkey, the vice president of his club Hatayspor told media on Tuesday.
Atsu, who plays for Hatayspor, was reported missing in Turkey’s Hatay province following the 7.8 magnitude quake that brought down thousands of buildings, killing some 5,000 people, in several Turkish and Syrian cities on Monday.
The Gift of the Givers are expanding its volunteer medical, search and rescue teams. Those interested can message either Dr Qasim Bhorat at 084 230 7866 (medical) or Ahmed Bham at 0735716392 (search and rescue).
Those wanting to assist financially:
Gift of the Givers
Standard Bank Pietermaritzburg
Account number: 052137228
Branch Code: 057525
Reference: Turkey.
Image supplied (The aftermath of devastating earthquake that hit both Turkey and Syria on Monday, as rescuers try and comb for bodies caught under the rubbles. Gift of Givers and Doctors Without Borders are amongst organisations offering aid).
