Date: 06/02/05
Source: Ministry of Health
Title: Tshabalala-Msimang: Charity Golf Day in support of relief following tidal wave ...
  Speech by the Minister of Health Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang at the Charity Golf Day in support of the Tsunami Relief Efforts in Blue Valley Golf Course, Centurion


6 February 2005
Honourable Ambassadors, High Commissioners, Charge d' Affaires, Diplomats and Representatives of Heads of States Honoured Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of the South African people and indeed the victims of the tsunami disaster, I would like to thank the diplomatic community for organising this event in support of the international relief and reconstruction efforts for the survivors of the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster.

I am deeply heartened that one hundred players were able to set aside this day to participate in this honourable golf event. I must also add that I am even more impressed that a large number of South African and multinational companies provided monetary and logistical support to make this event a success.

This is the testimony to the spirit of goodwill towards those affected by the disaster.

I am positive that this donation would go a long way towards an international relief operation to rehabilitate and reconstruct the lives of the victims many of whom are displaced and survive on handouts.

South African government, civil society and business have played a significant role in the mobilisation of human, financial and other resources in response to this catastrophe that has claimed lives of estimated 290 000 people.

South African government has emphasised the need for coordination of the relief efforts within the country, which led to the establishment of the South African Inter-ministerial Committee Task Team on the Tsunami disaster, which I am representing here today.

The task team has visited Jakarta in Indonesia and Somalia in Africa, to assess the extent of the needs of the victims and to try and come up with a coordinated intervention strategy within the context of the United Nations multilateral system.

The task team also attended the Special ASEAN Leaders' Summit on the Aftermath of the Earthquake and Tsunami in Jakarta, Indonesia. It was then clear at the end of the summit that the unprecedented nature of the disaster demanded an unprecedented response from the international community.

We know now that to support the international reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts, we need improved coordination at the national, regional and international levels. This would ensure that our humanitarian interventions are not only timely, but also, well coordinated, appropriate, effective and sustainable.

We must not forget that since this continent is already affected with high levels of poverty and underdevelopment, the need to assist the affected African countries such as Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Mauritius and Seychelles should be our priority when trying to alleviate more suffering and pain.

The tsunami disaster affected the fishing and tourism industries which were one of the main areas of economic activity in the affected African countries. The affected African communities are not only in desperate need of sanitation facilities, food, clean water, medicines and shelter, but they also need to revive these economic activities and become self-reliant.

It is reported that pregnant women, children and the elderly are particularly facing serious threats of diseases in these countries as a direct result of polluted water, seawater contamination and malnutrition. As governments, civil society and business, we need to continue to do as much as we can to improve the lives of people affected by the tsunami disaster across the world.

I am happy that South Africa has been able to sustain its response to the disaster. A South African delegation comprising of government representatives particularly from the Department of Health recently went to Somalia to deliver relief aid mobilised through one of leading relief organisations - the Gift of the Givers.

During this visit, the delegation also gathered more information on the impact of the tsunami in Somalia. They returned yesterday (Saturday morning) and would advise us on further steps that may need to be taken to intensify our efforts.

The emphasis on Somalia should be seen in the light of the country's present political and conflict situation where it is difficult to obtain accurate information due to a lack of capacity for assessment and response.

We are also continuing in tracing all those who went missing during the disaster. A forensic team comprising members of Department of Health and South African Police Service's forensic unit, which went to Phuket, Thailand also returned yesterday (Saturday morning).

The forensic team went to Phuket to assist the international disaster victim identification committee and to provide that committee with anti-mortem data of the four South Africans who are still missing. While in Thailand, the team assisted in the operations and also gained the working knowledge of the operation of the committee.

Once again, let me express our gratitude as Government for all the efforts that are being made by various sectors in this country to respond to the effects of the tsunami disaster. Let us continue with these important initiatives and ensure that our interventions are well coordinated and broadened to cover all the communities that were affected by this disaster.

Thank you very much Issued by: Ministry of Health 6 February 2005