A humanitarian aid rescue team made up of teams from the humanitarian aid organisation Gift of the Givers and EMS staff from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) were welcomed back to South Africa by Western Cape Premier Alan Winde and Turkish Consul General Sinan Yesildag. The team left for Turkey on 6 February.

The rescue team was welcomed back by members of the public, emergency rescue staff from CPUT, staff of Gift of the Givers as well as Turkish nationals residing in Cape Town. A local Cape Malay band matched while staff and friends and relatives of the rescue teams sang the South African National anthem.

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde who led the welcoming party said: “I feel like such a proud South African because of these heroes of ours who have been over to Turkey to help so many people to save lives. It’s amazing. I must say to Gift of the Givers, you guys are just outstanding, it’s unbelievable, when ever there’s a crisis you are there and so quickly and of you’re the enable of our volunteers , so the volunteers are the heroes and it’s so great to welcome them back".

Turkish Consul-General Sinan Yesildag, speaking at a media briefing after the rescue teams arrived said: “After the earthquakes more than one hundred countries offered social and rescue assistance to Turkey including South Africa of course. Very first day I met with Gift of the Givers people and then you sent your team immediately. We are very grateful.”

Cape Town, 18 February 2023 : A humanitarian aid rescue team made up of teams from the humanitarian aid organisation Gift of the Givers and EMS staff from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) were welcomed back to South Africa by Western Cape Premier Alan Winde and Turkish Consul General Sinan Yesildag. The team left for Turkey on 6 February after devastating earthquakes hit Turkey and Syria.

The rescue team was welcomed back by members of the public, emergency rescue staff from CPUT, staff of Gift of the Givers as well as Turkish nationals residing in Cape Town. A local Cape Malay band matched while staff and friends and relatives of the rescue teams sang the South African National anthem.

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde who led the welcoming party said “I feel like such a proud South African because of these heroes of ours who have been over to Turkey to help so many people to save lives. It’s amazing. I must say to Gift of the Givers, you guys are just outstanding, it’s unbelievable, when ever there’s a crisis you are there and so quickly and of you’re the enable of our volunteers , so the volunteers are the heroes and it’s so great to welcome them back.”

Turkish Consul-General Sinan Yesildag, speaking at a media briefing after the rescue teams arrived said “After the earthquakes more than one hundred countries offered social and rescue assistance to Turkey including South Africa of course. Very first day I met with Gift of the Givers people and then you sent your team immediately. We are very grateful.”

Turkey and Syria were hit by a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake on 6 February, the most devastating earthquake since 1999 when more than 17000 people were killed. The death toll of the most recent earthquake is already at more than 42000 with rescue and recovery operations still in progress.