It’s not safe for an SA humanitarian team to head over to Nepal yet to assist that country following yesterday’s disaster. That’s according to the founder and chairperson of Gift of the Givers, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman.
Not safe for SA team to head over to Nepal yet
No decision yet on whether international assistance is needed
A South African humanitarian aid organisation has been advised by disaster management officials in Nepal that it would not be safe for their teams to assist at this moment.
Dr Sooliman says there are many reasons they were advised not to go, for now. He says it’s too high risk, because of secondary destruction, as locals are expecting another dam to collapse. He added that there is also no access: “Helicopters cannot land, and the only means of access is helicopters,” Sooliman said.
SA team is ready to assemble when needed
If a call is made for humanitarian assistance, these teams would all be working from the capital, Kathmandu, which is more than 100 kilometres away from the disaster site. Back home, GoTG has been in contact with the Nepalese embassy in South Africa. Staff there are ready to process visas if the call for international assistance is made.
Sooliman said, “We are also in touch with Lieutenant General Tabelo Masakili, the Deputy National Commissioner, who has made available four dog handlers and four dogs that will join the Gift of the Givers team. We already have 11 members confirmed, ready to fly, but everyone is on hold awaiting clearance from the Nepalese government.
