Disaster relief organisation, Gift of the Givers has deployed teams to the earthquake-affected Syria and Turkey.
At least 1,800 people have died. The powerful 7, 8 magnitude earthquake struck early this morning, with the death toll expected to rise. Hundreds of people are still believed to be trapped under rubble.
The NGO’s founder Dr Imtiaz Sooliman says staff in the region awoke to a terrifying tremor at 04h10 today.
“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. Freezing cold, rain and snow are hampering search and rescue efforts.”
"The way the doors open, the way the things unfold, the way the supplies come, the right things at the right time, the right people, and suddenly the most difficult situations become easy. It makes you think that there just has to be divine, hand over you." Dr Sooliman pic.twitter.com/Ve86MYX23k
— Gift of the Givers (@GiftoftheGivers) February 6, 2023
Sooliman says the NGO only responds if a call is made by the affected country for international assistance.
“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.”
He added that the South African ambassador to Turkey, Dipou Letsatsi-Duba has also requested their intervention. Currently, team members including Dr. Naeem Kathrada and Colin Deiner, the Head of WC Provincial Disaster are meeting with the Turkish Consul General and the GM of Turkish Airlines, Muhammed Soner Aydin.
Sooliman says they will be meeting the Turkish Ambassador and DIRCO later today. Search and rescue, and medical teams with specialised equipment are already on standby to fly out by latest tomorrow. Turkish Airlines is set to will facilitate the transport.
In addition, The NGO says medical supplies, equipment, consumables, tents, blankets, food and other humanitarian aid will be purchased in Turkey. The organization is also expanding its volunteer medical, search and rescue teams.
Those who can assist can message Dr. Qasim Bhorat 0842307866 (medical) or Ahmed Bham 0735716392 (search and rescue).
Those able to assist financially, can deposit funds into Gift of the Givers, Standard Bank, Pietermaritzburg, Account number 052137228, Branch Code 057525, ref Turkey.
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