The death toll continues to surge, following two devastating earthquakes in southern Turkey and northern Syria on Monday (6 February). With more than 9 000 people already known to have been killed, thousands of rescue teams from across the world have already flown in to help search for survivors; many of whom are still trapped under the debris, while difficult weather conditions make this task all the harder.
Not to be left out, the Limpopo Province dispatched its own rescue team of five dedicated EMS Search and Rescue members to assist. These brave men are Jankie Fokane, the team leader from the Waterberg District, Robert Masubelele from the Capricorn District, Vercky Shipalana from the Mopani District, Louis Markram from the Mopane District, and Nicholas Nekhumbe from our own Vhembe District.
The team flew from OR Tambo Airport on Tuesday, 7 February, to join Gift of the Givers and other teams and organisations from across the globe. Limpopo Health MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba was there to bid them farewell and see them off. She thanked the volunteers for having responded at such short notice. "We know it is short notice, but we also know you are always available. In our department, there is no time to plan. Things happen and we execute, and we know you will not disappoint. We are very proud of you. To the community out there, we urge you to pray for them as this is a very dangerous mission," she said.
Vhembe's Nekhumbe said they were ready for the big mission. "This is a mission of another kind. We have served at other places, like the KwaZulu-Natal floods, but this is different. We are all determined, and we hope our efforts will help save many lives," he said.
The crew is due back in Limpopo next week.