Under the umbrella of Gift of the Givers, Search and Rescue teams have been helping the people of Turkey; a SAPS K9 helped sniff out a trapped 80-year-old lady in Hatay.
Hatay, Turkey (13 February 2023) – More South African Search and Rescue teams have arrived in Turkey to help aid in search and rescue, and support the efforts being made in areas affected by the recent 7.8 magnitude earthquake.
The 7.8 magnitude earthquake shook Turkey and neighbouring Syria on the 6th of February 2023, leaving total devastation in its wake. At the time of writing this, the death toll stands at just under 35,000. The quake has seen the world’s powers rally to support both countries through this disaster.
South Africa’s Gift of the Givers has teams on the ground and in collaboration with several other organisations, has seen several teams arrive in Turkey to offer support. This includes a team from Medi Response, SARZA and a SAPS K9 Unit. The latter arrived in the country most recently.
SARZA has been updating followers on what it has been like on the ground, where the weather is ice-cold and conditions are incredibly challenging.
“Being deployed in Turkey during an operation of this magnitude is never easy, but our members in country and their support back in South Africa are there to make a difference to the country and her people.
The teams are working on search and rescue operations in below zero degree Celsius weather conditions alongside other search and rescue teams from across the world. One can only imagine the heartsore and devastation, but it is heart-warming seeing the world unite to help when the help is needed most.
SARZA was deployed to assist with communications and logistics support in the area hardest hit by the earthquake, while providing force multiplier back up where needed.
A South African Police Services K9 Search & Rescue team joined the South African team today to assist in the Search And Rescue missions that lie ahead. This multi-agency search team is relying on training and experience to be able to make a difference outside of the borders of South Africa.
This indicates our readiness for any situation that we might face in South Africa and abroad.
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We are proud of the dedicated team of volunteers making a difference during this time.”
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Tin Collector's Love for His Dog Got a Helping Hand From a Stranger Who Stopped!Before long, the SAPS K9 detected a living person and once the rubble was cleared, it was discovered that the person was an 80-year-old lady. Take a look at the rescue below.
“Excitement, jubilation, hope and faith as Gift of the Givers and the Omani team working collaboratively to retrieve a live 80 year old lady from the rubble in Hatay, Turkey.
Congratulations to the SAPS K9 dogs who detected the live individual!
Gift of the Givers achieved the same success on Day 8 in Haiti in January 2010 when we retrieved alive, 64 year old Ena Zizi in the collapsed Catholic Church.” – Gift of the Givers – Syria
If you would like to support the people of Syria and Turkey, you can do so by supporting Gift of the Givers here or donating via BackaBuddy here.
You can also stay up to date on the team’s work within the two countries by following Gift of the Givers on Facebook.
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