South Africa has joined the international community in making a contribution to rescue efforts in the typhoon ravaged Philippines.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco), on behalf of the Government of South Africa, has contributed R4-million in response to the call for international assistance by the Government of the Philippines.

The contribution by South Africa was made to Rescue SA towards its rescue operations to the Philippines in the wake of the Super Typhoon Haiyan, which has claimed more than 5 000 lives, caused many injuries and left behind a trail of devastation.

Rescue SA mobilised a 20-member rescue team, consisting of a group of experienced doctors, paramedics, fire, rescue and related professional personnel to the Philippines sourced from Tshwane, Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni, as well as two nationals from Lesotho and Zambia for capacity building.

“The Rescue SA team left South Africa for the Philippines on Saturday, 16 November. The primary aim of the rescue mission is to deploy its personnel to isolated areas that have been ravaged by the super typhoon in order to provide access where needed, remove debris where necessary, resuscitate, stabilise and treat injured victims when appropriate and  expedite transport and transfer when medically indicated. 

“In the spirit of solidarity and ubuntu, South Africa shares the pain and suffering that the people of Philippines are enduring,” said Dirco.