October 12, 2005
By Sipho Maduna
JOHANNESBURG has rushed to help earthquake-hit Pakistan, sending six volunteers from its emergency management services unit to the devastated country as part of the South African rescue mission.
The six volunteers, who left home on Tuesday, 11 October, form part of the Rescue South Africa team, which will help victims of the earthquake. Thousands were killed by the quake, and millions have been left without water, food or shelter.
Rescue SA comprises 32 emergency workers, including doctors, paramedics and rescue workers. Colin Deiner, the director of disaster management in the Gauteng department of local government, is leading the team.
"The City of Johannesburg volunteers are comprised of advanced life paramedics and technician rescue paramedics," said Malcolm Midgley, the spokesperson for emergency management services. They specialised in urban search and rescue.
The team is expected back in South Africa on Tuesday, 18 October, depending on the need. Other doctors in Rescue SA are from Ekurhuleni and Tshwane.
Pakistan was struck by a major earthquake on Saturday, 8 October. It reduced buildings to rubble, trapping people inside them. An estimated 40 000 people were killed in the disaster.
The Pakistani government asked the South African government for help following the killer quake, and the Department of Foreign Affairs agreed to send 32 doctors and paramedics and 30 tons of aid, including medicines, tents, tinned food and blankets.
The Department of Health, Rescue South Africa, Gift of the Givers, Netcare 911 and Islamic Relief South Africa have helped the Department of Foreign Affairs in the rescue operation.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has thanked the non-governmental organisations for their help.
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