Premier applauds heroic Cape Town emergency officials for answering call to help

Media release: Premier applauds heroic Cape Town emergency officials for answering call to help in earthquake-stricken Turkiye

Today Premier Alan Winde helped welcome back a team of Western Cape-based disaster and emergency relief officials who had traveled to Turkiye to join the international response to the devastating earthquakes that struck the country and Syria several weeks ago. The group of Cape Town-based emergency officials touched down on home soil earlier today at Cape Town International Airport. They had been deployed to Turkiye through the South African aid and relief organisation Gift of the Givers Foundation.

“I commend Gift of the Givers for the work they do both here at home and abroad in times of desperate need. The work you do is outstanding. The NGO is flying our flag high. These women and men who put their hands up when the call came for help are doing us proud. You are heroes, not just to us but to the Turkish people you helped too,” said the Premier who was joined by Republic of Turkiye Consul-General Sinan Yesildag.

Amid emotional scenes, Premier Winde told the group they have made their families, the Western Cape and South Africa proud through their selflessness and risking their own safety to help those in need.

When the Turkiye foreign mission in South Africa requested its help, Gift of the Givers did not hesitate in responding, calling in disaster risk management and emergency personnel from across the country, including the Western Cape, to join the international drive to help the people of Turkiye.

During the devastation and sadness in Turkiye, there were moments of hope. Rescuers affiliated with the aid group rescued an 80-year-old woman who had been buried under rubble for days.