A South African relief mission has arrived in Pakistan and will be deployed to Bagh on Friday to give medical assistance following a massive earthquake in southern Asia.
”Our flight over was quite difficult, but we are ready to start working,” said Rescue South Africa chief executive Ian Scher.
”We will begin our operations early Friday morning and have been in consultation with the United Nations.”
The mission, an initiative of Department of Foreign Affairs, is made up of five doctors and 12 paramedics from the Department of Health and Netcare911.
The team is supported by Rescue South Africa personnel who are providing logistic and coordination support.
”We have about four tonnes of equipment and are able to provide medical relief and assist in the set-up of temporary medical facilities in the affected areas,” Scher said in a statement.
”We will divide into two teams and while one sets camp, the other will start immediately with relief and medical assistance.”
More than 23 000 people died in the 7,6-magnitude quake that struck South Asia on Saturday. — Sapa