Congratulations are pouring in for Brigadier Vimla Moodley from the SAPS K9 Unit. She has received a presidential award from Turkish President H. E. Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The co-founder of Gift of the Givers, Dr Imtiaz Sooliam said, “Moodley was lauded for her incredible intervention in the Turkey earthquake. This is a huge honour for the SAPS and South Africa.”

Gift of the Givers Responds to Turkey Earthquake

Earlier this year, Gift of the Givers released the statement below. It kick-started the planning of a search and rescue mission.

“Our staff in Syria and Turkey awoke to a terrifying tremor at 04h10 today, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck various villages and cities in both Turkey and Syria.”

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“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.”

“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.”

Congratulations  Brigadier Vimla Moodley

Citizens can be proud of Brigadier Moodley after she received a Turkish Presidential Award. Moodley is the head of the SAPS K9 Search and Rescue Unit and she represented the South African Police Service at the awards ceremony.

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South Africans can be very proud of her